New Delhi: India on Monday hit out at Pakistan’s air strikes inside Afghanistan, calling them a “blatant act of aggression” and a “direct threat” to regional peace, even as Kabul said the attacks killed civilians.
The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that the strikes “reflects Pakistan’s persistent pattern of reckless behaviour”. It added that such actions represent Pakistan’s “futile attempt to externalize internal failures through desperate acts of violence beyond its borders.”
“India strongly condemns Pakistan’s air strikes on Afghan territory that have resulted in several civilian casualties, including women and children. This blatant act of aggression by Pakistan is an assault on Afghanistan’s sovereignty and a direct threat to regional peace and stability,” the MEA said.
Pattern Of Behaviour
The ministry said the incident typifies a wider conduct by Pakistan. “It reflects Pakistan’s persistent pattern of reckless behaviour and its futile attempt to externalize internal failures through desperate acts of violence beyond its borders,” the statement added.
India also extended condolences to the victims’ families and wished a prompt recovery to the injured. “India conveys its condolences to Afghan families that have lost loved ones, prays for early recovery of those injured and reiterates its unwavering support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the MEA said.
Pakistan’s Account
Earlier, Pakistan said its security forces killed 29 militants during a ground operation near the border and in follow-up cross-border strikes in the eastern Afghan provinces of Paktia, Paktika and Kunar.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar described the action as a “well-planned intelligence-based ground operation” carried out alongside aerial strikes in the frontier zone.
Afghan Civilian Toll
The Taliban-led Afghan administration rejected Pakistan’s version, saying the strikes hit residential areas and killed 36 civilians, including women and children, while wounding 163 people. Deputy government spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat said three homes were completely destroyed and called the attacks a breach of international law and Afghan sovereignty.
“According to the reports available thus far, the attacks carried out last night resulted in the martyrdom of 36 civilians, including women and children, while 163 others sustained injuries. Three residential houses were completely destroyed,” Fitrat said.
Diplomatic Protests
The strikes prompted both Islamabad and Kabul to summon each other’s charge d’affaires to register formal protests, marking a sharp diplomatic escalation over the border violence.
Point Of Conflict
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have long been fraught. Though Pakistan was a key supporter of the Taliban in the 1990s, ties with the group soured after the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Islamabad accuses the Afghan Taliban of sheltering Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters and other militants responsible for attacks inside Pakistan.
In February 2026, Pakistan declared an open war on Afghanistan after a spate of TTP attacks. That month-long conflict ended with a temporary ceasefire. However, low-level clashes and border skirmishes have continued since.
