MEA Condemns Airstrikes on Afghan Civilians Amid Rising Tensions with Pakistan

Following reports of airstrikes on Afghan civilians, the Ministry of External Affairs expressed deep concern, condemning the attacks and criticizing Pakistan. Clashes at the border, involving Pakistani fighter jets and alleged TTP camps, have escalated tensions. Diplomatic dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan resumes after a year-long break.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has voiced significant disapproval concerning reports of airstrikes impacting Afghan civilians, including women and children, resulting in several casualties. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal unequivocally condemned these attacks, simultaneously criticizing Pakistan's tendency to direct blame away from its internal issues.

In response to inquiries about the strikes on civilians, Jaiswal asserted on Monday, "Media reports of airstrikes on Afghan populace, particularly women and children, highlight tragic losses. We denounce such assaults on innocents. Pakistan's habitual external blaming for internal failures remains clear, as does the Afghan response to these developments," he remarked.

Recent clashes at the Afghan border resulted in eight fatalities and injuries to over a dozen individuals, including civilians, officials reported. This escalation arose after Pakistani jets struck alleged Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) camps in Afghanistan's Paktika province following a failed militant infiltration into Pakistan.

Concerns persist from Pakistan regarding militant activities originating from Afghanistan, especially impacting its Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan regions. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged decisive Afghan action against TTP, dubbing the attacks from Afghan soil a 'red line' and calling for dialogue alongside a cessation of such aggressions.

A Pakistani delegation, headed by Special Representative Muhammad Sadiq, met Afghan leaders in Kabul to revive diplomatic dialogues post a year-long standstill, as reported by Dawn.

(With inputs from agencies.)