India on Tuesday strongly condemned the reported Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Kunar and Paktika provinces, expressing concern over civilian casualties and reiterating its support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
Addressing a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said such instances of aggression against a sovereign neighbour go against regional peace and security.
Jaiswal expressed condolences to the families of those killed in the strikes and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
The remarks came after Afghan authorities reported that Pakistani airstrikes in Kunar and Paktika had resulted in civilian casualties. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) also confirmed the deaths of three civilians in the strikes.
Afghan authorities said the strikes in Kunar killed three civilians and injured four others, while strikes in Paktika damaged a house and a shop. Pakistan, meanwhile, said its airstrikes targeted militants and reported that 28 militants were killed. The two sides’ accounts of the targets and casualties differ.
Jaiswal said India has consistently supported Afghanistan’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the welfare and well-being of the Afghan people.
The latest developments come amid continuing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan over cross-border militancy. Pakistan has accused militant groups operating from Afghan territory of carrying out attacks inside Pakistan, while the Afghan Taliban government has rejected such allegations.
The Indian government has previously also expressed support for Afghanistan’s territorial integrity and condemned civilian casualties resulting from cross-border airstrikes.
-ANI
