Pakistan airstrikes in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region, Afghanistan protests
[Global Times Special Correspondent in Pakistan, Huang Xiaona] According to a report by Pakistan's Dawn newspaper on the 23rd, Pakistan launched airstrikes on terrorist targets on the Afghan side of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border on the night of the 21st, killing more than 80 terrorists.
Pakistan National Assembly member and Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Daniyal Chaudhry, stated at a press conference on the 23rd: "National security is non-negotiable." He emphasized that Pakistan has always adhered to the path of dialogue and peaceful coexistence, but when Afghan territory is repeatedly used to launch proxy wars that threaten Pakistan's national security, "we have no choice but to defend our territory."
Reports indicate that Chaudhry urged the Afghan government to take decisive action to prevent its territory from being used for cross-border armed activities. He warned that the key to achieving lasting peace in the region lies in the complete eradication of terrorist sanctuaries. He cited a United Nations report stating that there are currently 21 terrorist organizations operating within Afghanistan, posing a serious threat to regional stability.
Pakistani media reported that this round of airstrikes by Pakistan is a retaliation against the organizations behind recent suicide bombings within Pakistan. In the past month, several regions in Pakistan have experienced consecutive suicide terrorist attacks, resulting in dozens of military casualties. On the 6th of this month, an explosion occurred at a mosque in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, killing at least 32 civilians, making it one of the most severe terrorist incidents in the city in recent years.
The Afghan side denied the accusations from Pakistan and protested against the recent airstrikes. Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid stated on the 22nd that the Pakistani airstrikes affected the border areas of Afghanistan, resulting in 18 deaths and 5 injuries in Afghanistan. The Afghan Ministry of Defense issued a statement on the 22nd, claiming that "multiple civilian areas" in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces in eastern Afghanistan were attacked. The Afghan Ministry of Defense strongly condemned Pakistan's blatant violation of Afghanistan's territorial sovereignty, considering this act a serious violation of international law and the principles of good neighborliness. The Afghan Ministry of Defense warned that it would respond appropriately and thoughtfully to this airstrike in due course.
Pakistan conducted airstrikes on terrorist targets in Afghanistan on the night of the 21st, resulting in over 80 terrorist deaths. This action was a retaliation for recent suicide bombings in Pakistan. The Afghan government reported 18 civilian casualties and condemned the strikes as a violation of sovereignty, while Pakistan emphasized the necessity of defending its territory against cross-border threats.
- Pakistan conducted airstrikes on the Afghan side of the Pak-Afghan border, killing over 80 terrorists.
- The airstrikes were a response to recent suicide bombings in Pakistan.
- Afghanistan reported 18 civilian casualties from the airstrikes and condemned the action as a violation of sovereignty.
- The Pakistani government emphasized the need to protect national security against cross-border threats.
- A UN report cited 21 terrorist organizations operating within Afghanistan, posing a threat to regional stability.