New Delhi, Jan 6 (NVI) In a hugely significant development, India expressed solidarity with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan today as it condemned Pakistan’s recent airstrikes in that country, which resulted in the killing of 47 innocent civilians, including women and children, and injuring 23 others.
Pakistan carried out airstrikes at multiple places in Paktika Province of Afghanistan on December 25, 2024, claiming it had targeted the camps of Islamist militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) there which are used to conduct attacks in Pakistan.
An outraged Taliban regime, which has denied presence of TTP in Afghanistan, said the attacks violated the country’s sovereignty and killed at least 47 civilians, including women and children, and wounded 23 others.
It vowed to avenge Pakistan’s action and the subsequent days saw an escalation in tensions, along with increased cross-border mobilisation and shelling.
“We have noted the media reports on airstrikes on Afghan civilians, including women and children, in which several precious lives have been lost,” said spokesman of External Affairs Ministry Randhir Jaiswal in a statement today.
“We unequivocally condemn any attack on innocent civilians,” he added.
The Indian government spokesman virtually echoed the contention of the Taliban regime as he said, “It is an old practice of Pakistan to blame its neighbours for its own internal failures.”
The Taliban regime, while maintaining that there is no TTP presence in Afghanistan, has been saying that the attacks taking place in Pakistan reflected its failure of maintaining law and order internally.
“We have also noted the response of an Afghan spokesperson in this regard,” Jaiswal said, apparently referring to the threat of retaliation given by the Taliban regime to Pakistan. (NVI)
