The Taliban government in Afghanistan on Friday accused Pakistan of ‘violating Kabul’s sovereign territory’, a day after two explosions were heard in the capital.
The Taliban have previously accused Islamabad of border strikes, but this is the first time it has alleged an incursion deep into its territory, describing it as an ‘unprecedented act’.
‘Pakistan violated Afghanistan’s airspace, bombing a civilian market in the Marghi area of Paktika near the Durand Line and also violating Kabul’s sovereign territory,’ the Defence Ministry said in a post on social media.
‘This is an unprecedented, violent, and heinous act in the history of Afghanistan and Pakistan,’ it added.
The statement did not specify how Kabul’s territory had been violated, but AFP journalists heard two loud blasts in the capital late Thursday.
Residents in Marghi reported that a market selling second-hand weapons had been bombed.
The statement did not say in what way Pakistan had violated Kabul’s territory, but AFP journalists heard two powerful blasts on Thursday night.
The same evening, residents in the border town of Marghi reported that a market selling second-hand weapons had been bombed.
‘If the situation becomes more tense after these actions, the consequences will be attributed to the Pakistani army,’ the statement added.
It comes as Afghan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi made his first visit to India, Pakistan’s eastern neighbour and rival. During the visit, New Delhi announced it was upgrading its mission in Kabul to a full embassy.
Pakistan’s military spokesman, in a televised press conference on Friday, did not directly respond when questioned whether Pakistan was responsible for the attacks.
‘To safeguard Pakistani lives and properties, what measures need to be taken will be taken,’ General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry told reporters in the city of Peshawar.
Militancy has surged in Pakistan’s border province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since the withdrawal of US-led troops from neighbouring Afghanistan in 2021 and the return of the Taliban government.
The Pakistani Taliban (TTP), a separate but linked group to the Afghan Taliban, along with its affiliates, are behind most of the violence -- largely directed at security forces.
At least 12 Pakistani troops have been killed this week alone in the border regions.
Islamabad has repeatedly accused Kabul’s authorities of harbouring militant groups that launch attacks on Pakistani soil with impunity -- allegations the Taliban government denies.
Earlier this year, a UN report said the TTP ‘receive substantial logistical and operational support from the de facto authorities’, referring to the Taliban government in Kabul.
Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told parliament Thursday that repeated efforts to persuade the Afghan Taliban to stop backing the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) had failed.
‘We will not tolerate this any longer,’ Asif said. ‘United, we must respond to those facilitating them -- whether the hideouts are on our soil or Afghan soil.’
He warned that any response could cause collateral damage. ‘Everyone will have to bear the consequences, including those providing the hideouts.’
‘Enough is enough,’ he added. ‘The Pakistani government and Ìýarmy’s patience has run out.’
Ìý
