Kabul, February 26 – The Taliban has condemned Pakistan's airstrikes on Afghanistan, calling it a "shameful act" and warning of a military response, adding that Islamabad targeted civilians instead of militants.
In an interview with Al Arabiya English, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said, "Naturally, there would be a military response, but the details are confidential, and I cannot elaborate further. Pakistan must be held accountable for this shameful act."
On February 22, Afghanistan's Ministry of National Defence accused the Pakistani military regime of carrying out deadly airstrikes in various residential areas of the Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, resulting in the death of several civilians. Islamabad has claimed that it was targeting militant groups that were carrying out attacks within Pakistan.
Mujahid said that a family of 22 people was affected in Nangarhar, with 17 killed and five injured. He said that one child was injured after a school was hit, and several buildings were damaged.
He stated, "There were no armed individuals present. Only civilians were injured and killed, and civilian areas were targeted."
Mujahid rejected Pakistan's accusations that Afghan territory is being used against neighboring countries. "Unfortunately, whenever attacks occur within Pakistan, they immediately attribute them to Afghanistan without evidence and accuse us. We reject this. Afghan soil is not to be used against anyone," Al Arabiya English quoted him as saying.
He said that Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) has no presence in Afghanistan, and the group largely controls areas within Pakistan. He said, "These are Pakistan's internal problems. The TTP controls large areas within Pakistan itself. They can live there; they do not need Afghan soil. And we would not allow them to use Afghan soil in the first place."
He stated that Pakistan has not provided any evidence to support its claims. Mujahid accused Pakistan of providing safe havens to ISIS instead of combating them, as reported by Al Arabiya English.
On February 24, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) stated that at least 13 people, including women and children, were killed in Pakistan's airstrikes on Nangarhar and Paktika.
UNAMA stated that 13 people were killed and seven others were injured in Pakistan's airstrikes in the Bahsud and Khogiani districts of Nangarhar on February 21–22 from 11:15 p.m. to 1:45 a.m., Khaama Press, Afghanistan's leading news agency, reported. Two attacks targeting Paktita's Barmal district hit a school and a mosque, while a house was destroyed in Orgun district of Paktita.
UNAMA condemned Pakistan's airstrikes and urged all parties to immediately cease hostilities and follow international humanitarian law to protect civilians. It demanded transparent investigations and accountability, and emphasized the need for protective measures for people in conflict-affected regions.
