India on Monday condemned Pakistan’s airstrikes on Afghanistan and stated that it was Islamabad’s habitual practice to blame its neighbours for its internal state failures.
Pakistan carried out multiple airstrikes in certain regions of Afghanistan, claiming that the strikes were aimed at targeting terrorist hideouts located on the Afghan side.
“We have noted the media reports on airstrikes that have affected Afghan civilians, including women and children, in which several precious lives have been lost. We unequivocally condemn any attack on innocent civilians,” said External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
“It is a longstanding practice of Pakistan to blame its neighbours for its internal failures. We have also noted the response of an Afghan spokesperson in this regard,” he added.
Earlier on Friday, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a stern warning to the Taliban, declaring that the militant group must be "crushed" to ensure the nation's progress.
His remarks followed border skirmishes with neighbouring Afghanistan, which is currently governed by the Afghan Taliban. "The Taliban has resurfaced, and we cannot move forward without crushing this menace," Sharif said.
According to recent reports from an independent think tank operating in Pakistan, 2024 has been the deadliest year for security forces, with around 685 security personnel losing their lives while fighting the TTP, an offshoot of the Afghan Taliban.
Over the past few years, the TTP has conducted more than 1,200 attacks, with its objective of overthrowing the Pakistani government and establishing an Islamic emirate governed by its interpretation of Sharia law.
On the night of December 24-25, the Pakistani Air Force entered Afghanistan and carried out airstrikes on TTP camps located inside Afghan territory.
Both sides have remained firm in their stance: Pakistani authorities justified their actions inside Afghanistan, while the Taliban regime raised strong objections, calling the airstrikes a violation of their sovereignty.
Additionally, Afghanistan also carried out artillery shelling on Pakistani positions on the Pakistan-Afghan border. The tensions between the two neighbours have escalated as a result of these military actions.
Although Pakistani establishments, including the military leadership, have stated that they will take decisive action against terrorist groups like the TTP, they have indicated that such actions may include cross-border operations to hunt them down.
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