Islamabad, July 2:
Pakistan on Wednesday rejected India’s remarks about the deadly airstrikes in Afghanistan, claiming that it had targeted “terrorist infrastructure”. Pakistan claimed to have killed more than two dozen militants in strikes in Afghanistan on June 29, after accusing the rebels based in Afghanistan of several attacks inside Pakistan.
India on Monday strongly condemned Pakistan’s air strikes on Afghan territory in which several civilians were killed, calling them a “blatant act of aggression” and a “direct threat” to regional peace and stability.
“It reflects Pakistan’s persistent pattern of reckless behaviour and its futile attempt to externalise internal failures through desperate acts of violence beyond its borders,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Monday.
In response to media queries on India’s comments, Foreign Office spokesman Tahir Andrabi said, “Pakistan rejects the baseless statement by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Pakistan’s legitimate, targeted and proportionate actions against terrorist infrastructure in Afghanistan.” He also accused India of “actively aiding and sponsoring terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil against Pakistan.” He, however, did not provide any evidence in support of his allegations.
Pakistan will continue to take all appropriate measures to uphold the safety and security of its citizens in accordance with international law, the FO said.
Afghanistan claims airstrikes on ISIS-linked targets in Pakistan
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence on Wednesday claimed that its forces carried out airstrikes against alleged ISIS-linked targets in Pakistan.
In a statement, the Afghan Ministry said the attacks were carried out on Tuesday night against what it described as ISIS facilities in Pakistan’s Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
“The air forces of the Afghan Ministry of Defence tonight conducted airstrikes on an ISIS joint centre and elements of evil and corruption in the Saranan area of the Pishin district, Balochistan province. This centre was used for carrying out sabotage activities and planning attacks in Afghanistan, and it served as a coordination hub for bombings in which Afghan civilians were targeted,” the Ministry stated.
“In the Qambar Khel area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, successful airstrikes were carried out by the Afghan Air Force on a Daesh centre, and in the Garam Chashma area of the Shah Salim Valley in Chitral, on another joint Daesh centre and elements of evil and corruption. Destructive activities and attacks against civilians were also being planned from these centres,” it added.
Citing preliminary information, the ministry said the strikes inflicted heavy casualties and significant financial losses on ISIS and its supporters. It added that the attacks were carried out with high precision against designated targets and caused no civilian casualties.