THE TALIBAN ISSUE WARNING TO PAKISTAN OVER AIRSTRIKES

The Taliban government, on Sunday, had warned Islamabad over the recent airstrikes in Afghanistan which had resulted in the killing of over 40 civilians including children.

Talking to Afghanistan based media outlets, Zabiullah Mujahid, Taliban spokesperson, who also happens to be the deputy minister of information and culture in Taliban government said, “We condemn Pakistan’s airstrikes on our soil in strongest words. Pakistan should not test the patience of the people of Afghanistan or else should be ready to face the aftermath.” He added, “We are trying our best to resolve the issue through diplomatic channels and negotiations. Such acts will create tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan which will lead to conflicts that are in favour of no one.” The airstrikes come just days after seven Pakistani army personnels were killed in North Waziristan.

The statement comes after the Taliban government summoned Pakistan’s ambassador to Afghanistan Mansoor Ahmed Khan on Saturday lodging a strong complaint on the airstrikes and asking Islamabad to prevent such strikes in the future. As per The Khaama Press, a local Afghanistan-based media agency, Pakistan’s airforce bombed around Spera district in Khost province of Afghanistan in which more than 40 people were killed and many others injured. The Pakistan’s embassy in Kabul had denied carrying any air strikes while the ministry of external affairs of Pakistan was tight lipped on the issue.

It had just issued a statement saying that Pakistan’s security personnels have been continuously attacked from Afghan soil and Taliban which is ruling over Afghanistan must act against them.

In a statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said, “Terrorists are using Afghan soil with impunity to carry out activities inside Pakistan, proper action against them need to be taken by the authorities.”

Pakistan and Afghanistan share a porous border of more than 2,600 kilometers, known as the Durrand Line, which runs through the region’s ethnic Pashtun population. Afghan rulers, including Taliban, have refused to recognise this line since ages, saying that it is an imperial legacy.