India on Monday strongly condemned Pakistan’s air strikes on Afghan territory, calling them a blatant violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty after Kabul said at least 36 civilians, including women and children, were killed in the cross-border operation.
In a strongly worded statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the strikes as an “act of aggression” that undermined Afghanistan’s territorial integrity and posed a direct threat to regional peace and stability.
India accuses Pakistan of externalising internal failures
New Delhi accused Pakistan of attempting to divert attention from its own domestic security challenges by carrying out military operations beyond its borders.
“It reflects Pakistan’s persistent pattern of reckless behaviour and its futile attempt to externalise internal failures through desperate acts of violence beyond its borders,” the MEA said.
The statement came after Pakistan announced that it had carried out an intelligence-based ground operation near the border, followed by what it described as “calibrated strikes” on alleged militant infrastructure inside Afghanistan.
Islamabad said the operation targeted hideouts belonging to Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), groups it blames for a series of attacks inside the country.
India reaffirms support for Afghanistan
Expressing solidarity with the Afghan people, India reiterated its unwavering support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“India strongly condemns Pakistan’s air strikes on Afghan territory that have resulted in several civilian casualties, including women and children. This blatant act of aggression by Pakistan is an assault on Afghanistan’s sovereignty and a direct threat to regional peace and stability,” the MEA said.
India also conveyed condolences to the families of those killed and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
“India conveys its condolences to Afghan families that have lost loved ones, prays for the early recovery of those injured and reiterates its unwavering support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the statement added.
Afghanistan rejects Pakistan’s version
Pakistan claimed its forces killed 29 militants during the operation, including four in a ground offensive in Bajaur district, before launching precision strikes on three alleged militant locations in Afghanistan’s Paktia, Paktika and Kunar provinces.
Afghan authorities, however, rejected Pakistan’s account, accusing its military of targeting civilian homes rather than militant positions.
According to Kabul, Pakistani fighter jets struck residential areas overnight, killing at least 36 civilians and injuring 163 others.
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