Kabul, June 29: The Taliban spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, claimed on Monday that the Pakistani military has once again conducted airstrikes in residential areas of Afghanistan’s Paktika, Paktia, and Kunar provinces. These attacks reportedly resulted in the deaths of numerous civilians, including women and children, with many others injured.
Mujahid condemned the actions as a “cowardly assault,” stating that the strikes occurred on Sunday night in the Gayan district of Paktika, the Tsamkani district of Paktia, and the Manogai district of Kunar.
On the social media platform X, Mujahid stated, “Last night, the Pakistani army once again targeted civilian areas in the Gayan district of Paktika, the Tsamkani district of Paktia, and the Manogai district of Kunar. Many civilians, including women and children, were killed and injured in these attacks. We strongly condemn this cowardly assault and consider it a crime and an act of brutality.”
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been escalating over the past few months, with multiple incidents of gunfire reported and rising concerns over civilian casualties.
Meanwhile, Zalmay Khalilzad, the former U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, also criticized the attack. He noted that Pakistan has once again chosen military action over dialogue with the international community and its own citizens, resulting in the deaths and injuries of many innocent people.
He wrote on X, “Ignoring calls from around the world and many in Pakistan for resolving differences with the neighboring country through dialogue, Pakistan has once again attacked Afghanistan, leading to numerous casualties. I have always condemned the killing of innocent Afghans, and I continue to do so. It is also worth mentioning that Islamabad has not responded to many proposals that the Taliban government has agreed to.”
Khalilzad raised questions about Islamabad’s genuine interest in finding a solution. He asked, “Now that there is a complete lack of any constructive efforts or responses from Pakistan, it is necessary to ask whether Islamabad truly desires a resolution?”
He further questioned, “Is this conflict genuinely over the reasons Pakistan claims, or are there other objectives of the Pakistani establishment? Does it want to destabilize Afghanistan? Is China encouraging Pakistan to create conditions that would increase its influence in Afghanistan? Or are both statements true?”
According to him, if such objectives are indeed behind Pakistan’s strategy, it would also be against U.S. interests. This would lead to increased instability in Afghanistan, providing safe havens for anti-U.S. terrorist organizations like ISIS-K and enhancing China’s influence. He stated, “If these are indeed Pakistan’s real objectives, it is not surprising that the Pakistani establishment does not publicly acknowledge them.”
Earlier this month, Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry summoned the chargé d’affaires of Pakistan to express strong opposition to violations of Afghan airspace and airstrikes on residential areas, which resulted in the deaths of 13 civilians.
This action was taken after Mujahid confirmed that the attacks on the night of June 9 in Kunar, Khost, and Paktika provinces resulted in the deaths of 11 children, one woman, and an elderly person, with 14 women and children injured.
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