Karzai Condemns Pakistani Airstrikes on Kunar and Helmand
DID Press: Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai has condemned recent Pakistani airstrikes on residential areas in Kunar and Helmand provinces, describing them as a violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty and calling on Islamabad to end what he described as hostile policies toward Afghanistan.
Karzai expressed condolences to the families of those killed and urged Pakistani authorities to respect the principles of good-neighborly relations. He called for a review of policies that, in his words, involve “blaming others and killing Afghan women and children.”
Karzai also warned that continued Pakistani military attacks on Afghan territory could have serious consequences for regional stability.
Meanwhile, Taliban officials said the latest airstrikes killed nine civilians, including women and children, and wounded 11 others. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said three residential homes were hit in Kunar and Helmand. The Taliban administration condemned the strikes as an act of aggression.
The Taliban governor’s office in Helmand separately reported that four civilians were killed and six others wounded in a strike on the Safar area of Garmser district. AFP also reported accounts from Helmand residents describing civilian casualties, while noting that casualty figures from the two sides could not be independently verified.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Information said the strikes were conducted on the basis of intelligence and targeted militant hideouts. Islamabad said 22 militants were killed and weapons and ammunition were destroyed. Pakistan maintains that armed groups operating from Afghan territory pose a security threat to the country.
The latest strikes come amid continuing tensions between Islamabad and Kabul over cross-border militancy. Pakistan accuses the Taliban authorities of allowing Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) members to operate from Afghan territory, while the Taliban rejects the allegation and says Pakistan’s security problems are an internal matter.