Islamabad, Dec 26 (NVI) Pakistan confirmed today that it carried out air strikes in Pakitika province of Afghanistan two nights back, an act which has angered the Taliban regime and heightened tensions between the two bordering nations.
Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson said its cross-border military action was an intelligence-based operation aimed at neutralizing “threats to the security of Pakistan’s citizens.”
Pakistan has often said that its citizens are facing security threat from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an Islamist militant group. Islamabad says that TTP has bases in Afghanistan, a claim which has been repeatedly denied by both the Taliban regime and TTP.
The Taliban regime has strongly condemned the bombing, saying it targeted refugees from Waziristan and killed 46 innocent people and injured 6 others.
The victims included several children and women, the Taliban regime said and vowed retaliation.
“The Pakistani side should understand that such arbitrary measures are not a solution to any problem,” spokesperson of Afghanistan’s Defence Ministry Enayatullah Khowarazami posted on social media platform X.
“The Islamic Emirate (meaning Taliban) will not leave this cowardly act unanswered and considers the defense of its territory an inalienable right,” he added.
The Taliban regime also summoned the head of Pakistan’s Embassy here yesterday and lodged a strong protest with a warning.
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) also condemned Pakistani military for the action and said it should be avenged. (NVI)
