New Delhi, Jun 30: India on Tuesday strongly condemned Pakistan’s air strikes on Afghan territory that reportedly killed at least 28 civilians, including women and children, describing the attacks as a “blatant act of aggression” and a threat to regional peace and stability.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the strikes constituted an assault on Afghanistan’s sovereignty and reflected Pakistan’s continued pattern of reckless behaviour.
“This blatant act of aggression by Pakistan is an assault on Afghanistan’s sovereignty 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 MEA said.
India conveyed its condolences to the families of those killed, wished a speedy recovery to the injured, and reiterated its unwavering support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
According to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), at least 28 civilians were killed and 49 others injured after Pakistan carried out air strikes and deployed ground troops in Afghan provinces along the border on Sunday. Women and children were among the casualties.
Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government said civilian homes were hit in the strikes, describing the attacks as a “cowardly act” and an “atrocity.”
Pakistan, however, said it had targeted militant hideouts in Afghanistan’s Paktia, Paktika and Kunar provinces.
Taliban officials said the highest casualties were reported from Mandokhail village in Paktia province, where one of the strikes killed several civilians, including children, women and elderly people who were asleep inside a house. (Agencies)
