February 23, New Delhi – Afghanistan has vowed to retaliate after Pakistani airstrikes killed at least 18 people, including women and children, calling the attacks a blatant violation of its sovereignty. The overnight strikes were the most extensive since border clashes in October last year.
Sediqullah Nasrat, deputy spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Defence Ministry, stated that the Ministry considers protecting the country’s airspace and ensuring the security of its people both a religious and national duty. He warned that Afghanistan will deliver an appropriate and calculated response at an opportune time.
Women and children were among those killed in the overnight airstrikes.
Islamabad claimed it targeted seven sites along the border region, aiming at Afghanistan-based militant groups in retaliation for recent suicide bombings in Pakistan. However, Afghan authorities and eyewitnesses said the attacks struck civilian areas.
The strikes followed a tense period after October’s border clashes, which left over 70 dead on both sides and hundreds wounded. They also came just days after Afghanistan released three Pakistani soldiers in a Saudi Arabia-mediated effort to ease tensions.