New Delhi: India has strongly criticised Pakistan’s recent airstrikes in Afghanistan, describing the military action as a serious violation of Afghan sovereignty and a threat to peace and stability in the region.
The strikes, carried out over the weekend across eastern Afghanistan, reportedly hit multiple locations and resulted in significant civilian casualties. Afghan authorities said dozens of civilians were killed and more than 160 people were injured, with women and children among the victims. Pakistan, however, maintained that the operation targeted militants linked to a recent attack in Karachi and claimed those killed were members of armed groups operating near the border.
Reacting sharply to the developments, New Delhi condemned the cross border operation and accused Islamabad of attempting to shift attention away from its domestic challenges through military action beyond its territory. India reiterated its support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and the safety of its civilian population.
The latest strikes mark one of the deadliest military operations carried out by Pakistan inside Afghanistan in recent months and highlight growing tensions between the neighbouring countries. Relations between Islamabad and Kabul have remained strained since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, with both sides repeatedly exchanging accusations over militant activity along their shared border.
Residents in the affected areas described scenes of devastation, with homes destroyed and entire families caught in the attacks while they slept. Local leaders reported that several of those killed were civilians, including elderly people, women and children.
Afghan officials also accused Pakistan of carrying out a so called “double tap” strike, alleging that one location was targeted a second time after residents and rescue workers had arrived to assist the injured. The allegation has added to concerns over the humanitarian impact of the operation.
The incident has further heightened tensions in an already fragile region and raised fears of renewed instability along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
