India condemns Pakistan’s airstrikes in Afghanistan
India on Sunday issued a strong condemnation of Pakistan’s reported airstrikes inside Afghanistan, describing the action as a violation of Afghan sovereignty that resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children, during the holy month of Ramadan.
Responding to media queries, Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “India strongly condemns Pakistan’s airstrikes on Afghan territory that have resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children, during the holy month of Ramadan. It is another attempt by Pakistan to externalise its internal failures.” He reiterated that India stands firmly in support of Afghanistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.
The statement came hours after Pakistan acknowledged carrying out strikes along its border with Afghanistan, claiming it had targeted hideouts of Pakistani militants responsible for a recent spike in deadly attacks inside the country.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the military conducted “intelligence-based, selective operations” against seven camps linked to the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and its affiliates. He added that an affiliate of the Islamic State was also among the targets in the border region.
Islamabad did not disclose the precise locations of the strikes. There was no immediate official reaction from Kabul, but multiple reports suggested that the operations were carried out within Afghan territory. Pakistani media, citing the Ministry of Information, reported that the targets included camps of Fitna al Khwarij and Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISKP).
According to Afghan broadcaster TOLOnews, Pakistani Air Force jets struck a religious seminary in Bermal district of Paktika province and conducted multiple airstrikes in Khogyani district of Nangarhar province. Strikes were also reported in Argun in Paktika, as well as in Bahsod and Ghani Khel districts of Nangarhar.
Pakistan’s local media reported that the military action was carried out “with precision and accuracy” in response to recent suicide attacks in Islamabad, Bajaur and Bannu during Ramzan.
The cross-border strikes follow a series of deadly attacks that have heightened tensions in the region. Days earlier, a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a security post in Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing 11 soldiers and a child. Authorities later identified the attacker as an Afghan national.
In a separate incident just hours before the reported border operation, another suicide bomber targeted a security convoy in Bannu district, killing two soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel.
The developments underscore escalating security concerns along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, with Islamabad increasingly blaming militant groups operating from Afghan soil for attacks within its territory. India’s sharp response adds a diplomatic dimension to the unfolding situation, signaling New Delhi’s continued backing of Kabul amid rising regional tensions.
