Taliban Accuses Pakistan of Violating Its Airspace and Bombing Civilian Market

The Taliban Defense Ministry stated that Pakistan violated Afghanistan’s airspace by bombing a civilian market in the Margha region of Paktika province near the border, as well as violating the airspace of the capital, Kabul. The ministry described the act as “unprecedented, violent, and reprehensible” in the history of both countries, adding, “We condemn this violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty in the strongest terms and consider the defense of our country’s sovereignty our legitimate right.”

The ministry warned that if the situation escalates, the consequences will be borne by the Pakistani military.

Late Thursday night, loud explosions were heard in Kabul, and Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Taliban-led interim government, confirmed that the incident was under investigation and that no casualties had been reported so far. Some residents of Kabul also reported hearing gunfire after the explosions.

Meanwhile, several Pakistani and Afghan social media users claimed that Pakistan had targeted Noor Wali Mehsud, the leader of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), in Kabul. However, Mujahid, in an interview with Anadolu, denied these claims, stating that Mehsud is not present in Kabul or Afghanistan.

Pakistan’s Response:
Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, addressed the issue during a press conference in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan. Chaudhry neither confirmed nor denied the airstrikes inside Afghanistan but stated, “We are doing and will continue to do what is necessary for the protection of our citizens.”

Chaudhry also alleged that India is “using Afghanistan as a base of operation for terrorism” against Pakistan. He claimed that Pakistan has repeatedly provided evidence to the Afghan interim government, urging them to prevent cross-border terrorism and hand over militants operating from their soil.

Statistics Provided by Pakistan:
Chaudhry revealed that the Pakistani military and intelligence agencies have conducted over 10,000 intelligence-based operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province this year, resulting in the deaths of 917 militants, while 311 soldiers lost their lives. He added that over the past two years, 135 Afghan nationals involved in attacks were killed alongside TTP militants.

Reaction from Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister:
Taliban’s Acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, responded to the developments by stating that Islamabad had attacked Afghan areas near the border with Pakistan. He warned, “They should learn from the Soviet Union, America, and NATO the consequences of troubling Afghans.”

Muttaqi made these remarks during his first visit to India, Pakistan’s archrival. Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Muttaqi emphasized that Kabul seeks friendly and cooperative relations with Pakistan and urged the resolution of differences through dialogue.