Taliban Warns Pakistan of “Regrettable Consequences” after Airstrikes on Afghanistan

DID Press: Taliban government has issued a sharp warning to Pakistan following airstrikes on Kabul and Paktika, saying any violation of Afghanistan’s territorial integrity brings “serious and regrettable consequences.” Islamabad, meanwhile, has defended its actions as a “legitimate right of response.”

In a post on X, Mohammad Naeem Wardak, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Taliban administration, said: “Pakistani officials must respect Afghanistan’s territorial integrity and not test our patience. Afghanistan has multiple options for response, and if used, Islamabad will regret its actions.”

The warning came after Pakistani warplanes carried out airstrikes late Thursday (Oct. 9) targeting areas in Kabul and Paktika provinces. Pakistani media claimed the operation aimed at Noor Wali Mehsud, leader of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

While on an official visit to India, acting Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi also warned Pakistan: “Do not test the courage of Afghans. Those who try to use force should learn from the fate of the Soviet Union, the United States, and NATO.”

Muttaqi stressed that “any attack on Afghan soil constitutes a violation of sovereignty and will seriously affect bilateral relations.”

The Taliban Ministry of Defense also accused Pakistan of violating Afghanistan’s airspace for the first time, warning that such actions “could have grave consequences.”

In response, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said Islamabad reserves the right to defend itself: “If terrorist elements enter Pakistan from Afghan territory, our response will be to enter Afghan territory. We have received no guarantees from the Taliban that Afghan soil will not be used against Pakistan.”

Pakistan’s military spokesperson Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry added that the army “will take all necessary measures to safeguard the country’s security and sovereignty.”