The Taliban condemned the Pakistan-orchestrated airstrikes in Khost and Kunar over the weekend, warning that such “cruelty” would only increase “enmity between Afghanistan and Pakistan.”
In an audio message to the media on Saturday, the Taliban’s spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, stated, “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan condemns in the strongest possible terms the bombardment and attack that has taken place from the Pakistan side on the soil of Afghanistan.” He also said that Islamabad should be aware that a war between the two countries would be mutually self-destructive and also undermine regional peace and security. Furthermore, Mujahid warned them against testing the patience of Afghans, who he said are used to fighting for their soil. He thus called on Pakistan to respect Afghanistan’s sovereignty and use “all options to prevent repetitions” of such attacks.
2/2- Problems between the two countries must be resolved through political means.
— Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) April 16, 2022
The Pakistani military launched an aerial attack in the Khost and Kunar districts that resulted in 47 deaths, including five children and a woman. According to an official source cited by Al Jazeera, “Pakistani helicopters bombarded four villages near the Durand line in Khost province… Only civilian houses were targeted and there were casualties.” Consequently, hundreds of civilians took to the streets to protest against Pakistan on Saturday.
Furthermore, the Afghan Foreign Ministry summoned Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kabul, Mansoor Ahmed Khan. Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Amir Khan Muttaqi told Khan: “Such military violations, including in Khost and Kunar, should be prevented as ill-wishers and groups with vested interests will exploit these incidents.” He also warned that this could “deteriorate relations between the two countries, allowing antagonists to misuse the situation leading to undesired consequences.”
Pakistani Ambassador to Kabul Summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, today.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Afghanistan (@MoFA_Afg) April 16, 2022
Along with the IEA Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, the session also included Deputy Defense Minister Alhaj Mullah Shirin Akhund where
the Afghan side condemned the recent pic.twitter.com/MEaTWqThFc
While several eye-witness accounts confirmed that Pakistani fighter jets orchestrated the attacks, the Pakistani embassy in Kabul denied reports suggesting the government’s involvement in the strikes. However, there has been no direct comment on the incident by the Pakistani military and the Foreign Ministry. Nevertheless, the Foreign Office said that it was “looking into” the reports.
The strikes were reportedly carried out in response to a convoy attack near the Afghan-Pakistan border, in which seven Pakistani soldiers were killed and four injured. While no group has taken responsibility for the incident, the Pakistani military noted that the attack was orchestrated in a region considered to be the stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban. The statement said: “Pakistan Army is determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism, and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve.”
Pakistani air force jets have carried out several strikes inside Afghan territory targetting TTP "houses". First time use of PAF inside Afg as a puppet ruled Kabul can't react.
— Amrullah Saleh (@AmrullahSaleh2) April 16, 2022
Meanwhile, the Pakistani Foreign Office issued a statement on Sunday urging the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan to ensure that it does not provide terrorists and militants sanctuary on Afghan soil. “Pakistan requests the sovereign Government of Afghanistan to secure [the] Pak-Afghan border region and take stern actions against the individuals involved in terrorist activities in Pakistan,” the press release stated. It mentioned that banned terrorist groups, such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), have been actively attacking Pakistani border security posts. Furthermore, it vowed to work closely with the Afghan leaders to ensure the region’s security.
This incident is the latest flare-up along the Afghan-Pakistani border, which has seen rising tensions since the Taliban’s takeover last year. Islamabad has repeatedly claimed that militants have been launching attacks in the country from Afghan soil. In fact, this past Thursday, the Pakistani military released a statement claiming that 100 members of its security forces have died in the regions bordering Afghanistan since January. It added, however, that 128 militants have been neutralised during this same period. In light of these security concerns, Islamabad has begun setting up a 2,700-kilometre fence along the border, also known as the Durand Line, which has further angered the Taliban.
Amrullah Saleh, the former Vice President of Afghanistan, said on Saturday that Pakistan views the Taliban government as a “puppet,” which has given it free rein to carry out “unrestrained” attacks on Afghan soil. He has also claimed that Pakistan-backed Talib militias are “forcefully evicting civilians from [the] eastern Baghlan province.” At the same time, however, there are emerging videos of the Afghan soldiers saying that “fighting the Pakistani army is their greatest wish.”