India has strongly criticised Pakistan over its recent airstrikes inside Afghanistan that reportedly killed dozens of civilians, including women and children. In a statement issued on Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the attacks as a serious violation of Afghanistan's sovereignty and warned of their wider impact on regional stability.
India condemns Pakistan's strikes
The MEA said the strikes reflected Pakistan's continued approach of shifting attention away from its domestic challenges.
"This blatant act of aggression by Pakistan is an assault on Afghanistan's sovereignty and a direct threat to regional peace and stability," the ministry said.
It further added that the attacks highlighted "Pakistan's persistent pattern of reckless behaviour and its futile attempt to externalize internal failures through desperate acts of violence beyond its borders".
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Expressing sympathy for the victims, India said, "India conveys its condolences to Afghan families that have lost loved ones, prays for early recovery of those injured and reiterates its unwavering support for Afghanistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity."
Taliban government lodges protest
Before India's response, the Taliban-led administration in Afghanistan had lodged a formal protest with Pakistan's Charge d'Affaires in Kabul over the airstrikes.
According to a statement posted by Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on X, the Afghan government objected to Pakistan's alleged violation of its airspace and the bombing of residential areas in Kunar, Paktia and Paktika provinces.
The ministry claimed that the strikes killed 36 civilians, including women and children, while another 163 people were injured.
"The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan considers these attacks a clear violation of international principles, humanitarian laws, and the national sovereignty of countries, and strongly condemns them," the statement said.
The Afghan side also accused Pakistan of repeatedly blaming Afghanistan for its internal security problems without providing evidence and alleged that cross-border military actions had continued.
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Why did Pakistan carry out the operation?
Pakistan confirmed carrying out the strikes. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said security forces had conducted a "well-planned intelligence-based ground operation" supported by aerial strikes in the border region.
The military action followed a major attack on Saturday night at the Pakistan Sindh Rangers headquarters in Karachi's Gulistan-i-Jauhar area. According to Dawn, three Rangers personnel and three attackers were killed after militants rammed a vehicle into the main gate, leading to a gun battle and explosions.
Al Jazeera reported that an affiliate of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a breakaway faction of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claimed responsibility for the Karachi attack.
