Afghan Taliban retaliates against Pakistan following air strike resulting in 8 fatalities
- In Reports
- 05:29 PM, Mar 18, 2024
- Myind Staff
Afghanistan's Taliban retaliated against Pakistan by carrying out two air strikes on its territory, resulting in the deaths of five women and three children. Additionally, they fired heavy weapons at Pakistani forces along the border.
The neighbouring countries have exchanged accusations regarding the recent surge of Islamist militant attacks in Pakistan. Pakistan alleges that the attacks originated from Afghan soil, while Afghanistan's ruling Taliban refutes these claims.
Zabiullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Taliban administration, stated in a press release that "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan does not permit the compromise of security through the use of Afghan territory." He added that the strikes resulted in the deaths of five women and three children in the eastern border provinces of Khost and Paktika.
In a separate announcement, the Taliban defence ministry reported that its security forces had targeted Pakistani troops at the border in response to the airstrikes.
Pakistan's army and foreign office refrained from immediately responding to a request for comment on the reported strikes. This development follows an attack on a military post in Pakistan by unidentified militants, resulting in the deaths of seven security force members.
In a statement provided to state television, the Pakistani military asserted, "a recent wave of terrorism has the full support and assistance of Afghanistan." The statement did not mention any air strikes but indicated that the attack was perpetrated by militants who had found "safe haven" in Afghanistan.
The Pakistani government and security officials have reiterated that there has been a surge in such attacks in recent months, with many of them attributed to the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) and originating from Afghan soil.
The Afghan Taliban has consistently denied allegations that it permits its territory to be utilised by militant groups.
"In the statement, Taliban spokesman Mujahid emphasised that Pakistan should not hold Afghanistan responsible for the lack of control, incompetence, and issues within its own territory," the spokesperson stated.
"These incidents could result in severe consequences that would be beyond Pakistan's control," stated the spokesman.
Image source: Hindustan Times
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