Kabul [Afghanistan], October 18 (ANI): As Pakistan and Afghanistan prepare for peace talks in Doha following days of fierce fighting and airstrikes, the Taliban government has asserted that Afghanistan “reserves the right to respond” to Pakistani airstrikes on its territory.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that while Afghanistan remains committed to a peaceful resolution, the recent escalation stems from “acts of aggression” by Pakistan.
In a series of posts on X, Mujahid wrote, “As previously agreed, negotiations with the Pakistani side are scheduled to take place today in Doha. In this regard, a high-level delegation of the Islamic Emirate, led by the Honorable Minister of Defense, Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, has departed for Doha. However, last night, Pakistani military forces once again conducted airstrikes on civilian areas in Paktika, resulting in the martyrdom and injury of a number of civilians. The Islamic Emirate strongly condemns, in the harshest terms, the repeated crimes of the Pakistani forces and the violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty. Such acts are deemed provocative and are viewed as deliberate attempts to prolong the conflict.”
He added, “While the Islamic Emirate reserves the right to respond to these violations, in order to maintain the dignity and integrity of its negotiating team, its forces have been instructed to refrain from undertaking new military operations at this time. We reiterate that Afghanistan remains committed to a peaceful resolution and regional stability. However, the ongoing incidents are entirely the result of aggression by the Pakistani side.”
Meanwhile, Tolo News reported that the Pakistani delegation, including Defense Minister Khawaja Asif and intelligence chief Asim Malik, had arrived in Doha for the mediation talks.
Local officials in Kandahar said that around 20,000 families have been displaced from Spin Boldak due to clashes between Afghan border forces and Pakistani troops. They stated that these families fled indiscriminate bombings by Pakistan and are now seeking refuge in deserts and other areas lacking basic facilities. Efforts to provide humanitarian assistance are currently underway.
At least six people, including two children, were killed and seven others injured in a series of Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan’s southeastern Paktika province, marking a breach of the recent ceasefire agreement between the two countries, Tolo News reported on Friday.
According to the report, the airstrikes targeted residential areas in the Argun and Barmal districts, causing significant civilian casualties. Among the wounded are six women and one child. (ANI)
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