India Condemns Pakistan Air Strikes on Afghan Soil as 'Direct Threat to Peace'
India on Monday strongly condemned Pakistan's air strikes on Afghan territory, which resulted in several civilian casualties, calling them a 'blatant act of aggression' and a 'direct threat' to regional peace and stability.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, 'It reflects Pakistan's persistent pattern of reckless behaviour and its futile attempt to externalise internal failures through desperate acts of violence beyond its borders.'
Pakistan reported that its security forces killed 29 militants in a ground operation near the Afghan border and subsequent cross-border strikes. The development led both Islamabad and Kabul to summon each other's Charge d'affaires for diplomatic protests.
However, the Afghan foreign ministry alleged that Pakistani air strikes hit residential areas, killing 36 civilians—including women and children—and injuring 163 others. It described the strikes as a violation of international law, humanitarian principles, and Afghanistan's sovereignty.
Pakistan has not immediately responded to the Afghan allegations.
The MEA statement added, 'India strongly condemns Pakistan's air-strikes on Afghan territory that have resulted in several civilian casualties, including women and children. This blatant act of aggression by Pakistan is an assault on Afghanistan's sovereignty and a direct threat to regional peace and stability.'
India conveyed condolences to Afghan families that lost loved ones, prayed for the recovery of the injured, and reiterated its 'unwavering support' for Afghanistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
