New Delhi / Kabul — India on Sunday issued a strong diplomatic rebuke against Pakistan following a series of airstrikes carried out inside Afghan territory, saying the actions were unacceptable and risked further destabilising an already fragile region.
The strikes, which took place on 22 February in the eastern Afghan provinces of Nangarhar and Paktika, were described by Islamabad as targeted operations against hideouts of militant groups blamed for recent attacks inside Pakistan. Pakistani authorities said their forces had struck camps used by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and affiliates of the Islamic State – Khorasan Province.
However, Afghan officials and eyewitnesses painted a different picture on the ground. Local sources reported that residential homes, a madrassa and other civilian structures were hit in the raids, resulting in the deaths of at least 18 people, including women and children, and leaving others injured. Villagers in Nangarhar were seen searching through rubble and preparing for funerals as news of the civilian toll spread.
India’s Response
Responding to questions from the media in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal condemned Pakistan’s actions, calling them “another attempt to externalise internal failures” and criticising the timing of the strikes during the holy month of Ramadan. India reiterated its support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence, urging all states to respect established international norms.
“India strongly condemns Pakistan’s airstrikes on Afghan territory that have resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children,” Jaiswal said, adding that such military actions only serve to further inflame tensions in South Asia.
Afghanistan’s Reaction
The Taliban-led Afghan government also denounced the strikes as violations of its sovereignty. The Afghan Defence Ministry accused Pakistan of breaching international law and warned that it would respond “in due course with a measured and appropriate response” if such incursions continued. Kabul summoned Pakistan’s ambassador to lodge a formal protest, reflecting deepening diplomatic strains between Kabul and Islamabad.
Pakistan’s Justification
In its defence, Islamabad has maintained that the attacks were legitimate military responses to a surge in militant violence inside Pakistan, including suicide bombings and assaults on security forces it claims were planned and directed from bases inside Afghanistan. Pakistan’s deputy interior minister said at least 70 militants had been killed in the operation, although independent verification of these figures has not yet been available.
Regional Implications
The incident has drawn international attention due to the humanitarian impact and the risk of escalation along the 2,600-km Afghanistan–Pakistan border. Recent years have seen repeated cross-border clashes and complicated diplomatic relations between Kabul and Islamabad, with periodic skirmishes and mutual accusations of supporting militant groups.
With tensions running high, India’s condemnation signals concerns from New Delhi about regional peace and the protection of civilians caught in conflicts between neighbouring countries
