Afghanistan Responds to Pakistani Airstrikes: Islamic Emirate Fires Back
Last Updated on March 24, 2024 3:05 pm
Md Khayrul Bashar, Senior Reporter:
The delicate balance of power along the Afghan-Pakistan border has once again been shaken, as the Islamic Emirate swiftly retaliated against what they term as unprovoked Pakistani airstrikes. In the early hours of Monday morning, Pakistani military aircraft purportedly violated Afghan airspace, raining bombs upon civilian homes in the Barmal district of Paktika and the Spera district of Khost.
The Ministry of Defense of the Islamic Emirate wasted no time in issuing a stern response, claiming to have targeted Pakistani military installations in retaliation for the attacks on Afghan soil. The statement condemned what it described as repeated violations of Afghanistan’s sovereignty, warning of dire consequences for any further encroachment.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, minced no words in his condemnation of the Pakistani incursions. He lamented the loss of civilian lives and property caused by the airstrikes, emphasizing that such actions would strain relations between the neighboring nations.
The situation escalated further as reports emerged of a military confrontation between the Islamic Emirate and Pakistani forces in the Dand-e-Patan district of Paktia. While casualties were reported on both sides, official sources from the Islamic Emirate have remained tight-lipped about the ongoing skirmish.
Amidst the turmoil, conflicting reports surfaced regarding the alleged death of a Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander named Abdullah Shah in the airstrikes. While Pakistani media attributed his demise to the bombings, a video surfaced featuring Shah himself, vehemently denying the claims and asserting his continued presence in South Waziristan.
As tensions continue to simmer along the volatile border, the specter of further violence looms large, casting a shadow over already strained relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan.