Afghanistan to respond at 'suitable time' to Pakistani attacks

2026-02-22 - 07:02

The Afghan Defense Ministry has issued a strong warning to Pakistan, promising an "appropriate and measured response" to reported airstrikes that targeted areas inside Afghanistan. In a statement posted on social media platform X, the ministry condemned the attacks in the "strongest possible terms," characterizing them as a clear breach of national sovereignty, international law, and the principles of good neighborly relations. Kabul Condemns 'Repeated Aggression' According to Afghan media reports, Pakistani forces conducted airstrikes in several districts of the eastern provinces of Paktika and Nangarhar. The Afghan Defense Ministry's statement asserted that targeting civilian and religious centers highlights the "intelligence and security shortcomings" of the Pakistani military. It further argued that such "repeated acts of aggression will never be able to conceal their internal shortcomings." Islamabad Justifies Cross-Border Action Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting confirmed the operation early Sunday, describing it as a "retributive response" to recent attacks on its soil. The ministry stated that it had carried out "intelligence based selective targeting of seven terrorist camps and hideouts" belonging to groups like the Pakistani Taliban (FAK) and ISKP along the border region. Islamabad framed the strikes as a direct response to recent suicide bombings within Pakistan and the killing of two security personnel in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday. Demand for Action from Kabul In its statement, Pakistan explicitly called on the interim Afghan government to "fulfil its obligations and deny use of its soil by Khwarij and terrorists against Pakistan." Islamabad emphasized that the "safety and security of people of Pakistan comes first and foremost" and signaled its intent to prevent any cross-border attacks in the future. The exchange of fire and strong rhetoric marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two neighboring countries, which have a history of fraught relations over border security and militant activity.