'Yet another act of aggression': India condemns Pakistan air strikes in Afghanistan

NEW DELHI: India on Saturday strongly condemned recent airstrikes by Pakistan in Afghanistan, which reportedly caused civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure. Ministry of external affairs official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the strikes constitute "yet another act of aggression by a Pakistani establishment that remains hostile to the idea of a sovereign Afghanistan" and reaffirmed India’s stance that Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected.Addressing a media query, Jaiswal shared the statement on X saying, “India condemns the airstrikes by Pakistan in Afghanistan’s territory, leading to the death of several civilians and destruction of civilian infrastructure. This is yet another act of aggression by a Pakistani establishment that remains hostile to the idea of a sovereign Afghanistan. India reiterates that Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity should be fully respected.” The remarks came after the Afghan Taliban government accused Pakistan on Friday of conducting airstrikes in Kabul and other areas in eastern Afghanistan, claiming at least six civilians were killed and 15 others injured.Hours later, Kabul said its air force responded by targeting military installations near Islamabad and in northwestern Pakistan.According to AP, Pakistan denied targeting civilians, stating that its operations focus on Pakistani Taliban militants and their support networks. Islamabad has described the conflict as an "open war,” raising concerns among the international community about regional stability amid the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran in the Middle East.Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistani aircraft also struck fuel depots belonging to the private airline Kam Air near the airport in Kandahar, which supplies civilian and UN flights.Pakistan accuses the Afghan Taliban government of harboring Pakistani militant groups, mainly the Pakistani Taliban, that cross the porous border to attack Pakistani forces and of allying with its archrival, India. Kabul denies harboring militant groups.