Afghanistan Accuses Pakistan of Airstrikes; Islamabad Neither Confirms Nor Denies Allegations

The Afghan Ministry of Defense has accused Pakistan of violating its airspace and carrying out airstrikes near Kabul and in Paktika province, close to the Durand Line. The ministry warned that any escalation following these actions would be Pakistan’s responsibility.

In an official statement posted on the ministry’s account on X (formerly Twitter), Afghan authorities claimed:

“Once again, Pakistan has violated Afghanistan’s airspace and bombed a marketplace near Paktika and areas close to Kabul.”

The accusation comes amid widespread reports on social media, particularly on Thursday and Friday night, alleging that Pakistan conducted air and drone strikes in and around Kabul.

So far, Islamabad has not issued any official response. However, during a press conference in Peshawar on Friday afternoon, Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, refrained from confirming or denying the allegations. He stated:

“Necessary measures will continue to be taken to protect the lives and property of Pakistani citizens.”

The Taliban’s Ministry of Defense cautioned that if the situation worsens, “the consequences will rest on the Pakistani military.”

Meanwhile, during his visit to India, Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi commented on the alleged attacks. He said there were reports of explosions in Kabul, but no casualties or confirmed evidence of Pakistani involvement.

“We heard the sound of an explosion in Kabul, but after searching throughout the night, there was no evidence of any loss of life. We still do not know whether it was due to mining activity or something else,” Muttaqi said.

He added that some strikes had occurred in remote border areas, which Afghanistan condemns, calling them a “mistake by the Pakistani government.”

“Such issues cannot be resolved through force,” he emphasized.

Muttaqi reiterated Afghanistan’s desire for dialogue and cooperation, stressing the importance of maintaining open communication channels:

“Our geography gives us an opportunity to serve as a vital trade corridor. Just as we seek good relations with India, we also want the same with Pakistan — but this must be mutual. It cannot happen one-sidedly.”