NEW DELHI / ISLAMABAD / KABUL, Feb 22 — In a sharp diplomatic response as India condemns Pakistan airstrikes, New Delhi on Sunday strongly criticized Islamabad’s recent military action on Afghan territory, describing the strikes as a calculated attempt to “externalise internal failures” and reiterating its support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Responding to media queries, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi viewed the military action by Islamabad as unacceptable, particularly due to reported civilian casualties, including women and children during the holy month of Ramadan.
India’s criticism adds to a growing international outcry over the incident, which has further heightened tensions along the already volatile Afghanistan-Pakistan border region.
Pakistan’s Justification and Regional Security Claims
Pakistan’s military said it conducted airstrikes against militant hideouts it alleged were being used by armed groups launching attacks on Pakistani soil. According to statements from Islamabad, the air raids targeted at least seven camps in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces along the eastern Afghan border.
Officials from Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting described the operations as “intelligence-based selective strikes” aimed at Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) affiliates and Islamic State – Khorasan Province elements. Islamabad claimed that the strikes were in retaliation for a series of deadly attacks, including recent suicide bombings in Pakistan’s cities and border districts.
Afghan Government Denounces Strikes and Casualties
The ruling Taliban-led government in Kabul has sharply condemned the airstrikes as a blatant violation of Afghanistan’s territorial integrity, saying the operations struck civilian areas, including homes and a religious seminary. Afghan officials reported at least 18 deaths, including women and children, citing local eyewitnesses and provincial authorities.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Pakistani ambassador to Kabul to protest the military action, describing it as an unlawful breach of international norms and warning of possible consequences should further incursions occur.
India’s Official Response: Condemnation and Wider Implications
MEA spokesperson Jaiswal’s comments underscored New Delhi’s firm rejection of the airstrikes as a legitimate security action, framing the incident as a tactic to divert attention from Pakistan’s internal challenges. “It is another attempt by Pakistan to externalise its internal failures,” he said, reaffirming India’s support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
India’s foreign policy establishment has repeatedly emphasized the need for respect for international borders and civilian protection, cautioning against any actions that could destabilise an already fragile regional security environment. Observers noted that the timing of the strikes — during the holy month of Ramadan — amplified condemnation from both regional capitals and civil society groups.
Historical Context of Border Tensions
The Afghanistan-Pakistan border has long been a flashpoint for security tensions, marked by sporadic violence, accusations of militant sanctuaries and competing claims over territorial jurisdiction. Analysts point to the decades-long insurgency led by the TTP as a key driver of Islamabad’s security calculus.
In recent years, the Pakistani military has frequently cited militants operating from Afghan border regions as the source of high-profile attacks inside Pakistan, including deadly suicide bombings that targeted civilians and security personnel alike. Kabul has chronicled similar allegations, linking Pakistani proxies to internal instability along its own frontier.
Civilian Casualties and Humanitarian Concerns
Local reports from Nangarhar and Paktika describe significant human suffering as families in affected villages mourned the loss of loved ones. Several eyewitnesses reported that residential homes and non-combatant structures were hit during the strikes, prompting outrage among local communities.
Humanitarian observers and rights groups have expressed alarm at the rising number of civilian casualties resulting from cross-border military actions, urging restraint and adherence to international humanitarian law to protect innocent lives. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and other multilateral agencies have documented similar concerns in previous cross–border incidents, emphasizing the need for conflict de-escalation.
Broader Regional Repercussions
The incident has drawn international attention not only because of the loss of civilian life but also due to its potential to destabilise relations among neighbouring states. India’s condemnation adds diplomatic weight to calls for restraint, while Kabul’s formal protest signals escalating diplomatic friction.
Pakistan’s framing of the strikes as necessary security operations reflects deep-seated concerns over insurgent violence, but critics argue that cross-border military action may worsen bilateral relations and fuel cycles of retaliation.
Impact on South Asia Security Dynamics
Security analysts contend that such cross-border airstrikes complicate ongoing efforts to promote stability in South Asia. With multiple actors involved — including the Afghan Taliban government, Pakistan’s military apparatus and regional diplomatic stakeholders — the risk of unintended escalation persists.
Observers also point out that internal political pressures within Islamabad, including responsiveness to domestic militant attacks, may strongly influence Pakistan’s tactical choices, even as Kabul and New Delhi call for a rules-based regional order.
What Comes Next
Diplomatic channels are expected to remain active as Afghanistan continues to protest the airstrikes and India reiterates its stance at international forums. Monitoring groups and foreign ministries will likely assess whether the incident leads to coordinated efforts for de-escalation or further diplomatic tension.
The evolving Afghanistan-Pakistan dynamic underscores the fragility of peace along the 2,600-km frontier and highlights the need for sustained dialogue to mitigate military escalations and protect civilians.
India Strongly Condemns Pakistan’s Airstrikes on Afghanistan, Calls It Externalising Failures
NEW DELHI / ISLAMABAD / KABUL, Feb 22 — In a sharp diplomatic response as India condemns Pakistan airstrikes, New Delhi on Sunday strongly criticized Islamabad’s recent military action on Afghan territory, describing the strikes as a calculated attempt to “externalise internal failures” and reiterating its support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Responding to media queries, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi viewed the military action by Islamabad as unacceptable, particularly due to reported civilian casualties, including women and children during the holy month of Ramadan.
India’s criticism adds to a growing international outcry over the incident, which has further heightened tensions along the already volatile Afghanistan-Pakistan border region.
Pakistan’s Justification and Regional Security Claims
Pakistan’s military said it conducted airstrikes against militant hideouts it alleged were being used by armed groups launching attacks on Pakistani soil. According to statements from Islamabad, the air raids targeted at least seven camps in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces along the eastern Afghan border.
Officials from Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting described the operations as “intelligence-based selective strikes” aimed at Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) affiliates and Islamic State – Khorasan Province elements. Islamabad claimed that the strikes were in retaliation for a series of deadly attacks, including recent suicide bombings in Pakistan’s cities and border districts.
Afghan Government Denounces Strikes and Casualties
The ruling Taliban-led government in Kabul has sharply condemned the airstrikes as a blatant violation of Afghanistan’s territorial integrity, saying the operations struck civilian areas, including homes and a religious seminary. Afghan officials reported at least 18 deaths, including women and children, citing local eyewitnesses and provincial authorities.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Pakistani ambassador to Kabul to protest the military action, describing it as an unlawful breach of international norms and warning of possible consequences should further incursions occur.
India’s Official Response: Condemnation and Wider Implications
MEA spokesperson Jaiswal’s comments underscored New Delhi’s firm rejection of the airstrikes as a legitimate security action, framing the incident as a tactic to divert attention from Pakistan’s internal challenges. “It is another attempt by Pakistan to externalise its internal failures,” he said, reaffirming India’s support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
India’s foreign policy establishment has repeatedly emphasized the need for respect for international borders and civilian protection, cautioning against any actions that could destabilise an already fragile regional security environment. Observers noted that the timing of the strikes — during the holy month of Ramadan — amplified condemnation from both regional capitals and civil society groups.
Historical Context of Border Tensions
The Afghanistan-Pakistan border has long been a flashpoint for security tensions, marked by sporadic violence, accusations of militant sanctuaries and competing claims over territorial jurisdiction. Analysts point to the decades-long insurgency led by the TTP as a key driver of Islamabad’s security calculus.
In recent years, the Pakistani military has frequently cited militants operating from Afghan border regions as the source of high-profile attacks inside Pakistan, including deadly suicide bombings that targeted civilians and security personnel alike. Kabul has chronicled similar allegations, linking Pakistani proxies to internal instability along its own frontier.
Civilian Casualties and Humanitarian Concerns
Local reports from Nangarhar and Paktika describe significant human suffering as families in affected villages mourned the loss of loved ones. Several eyewitnesses reported that residential homes and non-combatant structures were hit during the strikes, prompting outrage among local communities.
Humanitarian observers and rights groups have expressed alarm at the rising number of civilian casualties resulting from cross-border military actions, urging restraint and adherence to international humanitarian law to protect innocent lives. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and other multilateral agencies have documented similar concerns in previous cross–border incidents, emphasizing the need for conflict de-escalation.
Broader Regional Repercussions
The incident has drawn international attention not only because of the loss of civilian life but also due to its potential to destabilise relations among neighbouring states. India’s condemnation adds diplomatic weight to calls for restraint, while Kabul’s formal protest signals escalating diplomatic friction.
Pakistan’s framing of the strikes as necessary security operations reflects deep-seated concerns over insurgent violence, but critics argue that cross-border military action may worsen bilateral relations and fuel cycles of retaliation.
Impact on South Asia Security Dynamics
Security analysts contend that such cross-border airstrikes complicate ongoing efforts to promote stability in South Asia. With multiple actors involved — including the Afghan Taliban government, Pakistan’s military apparatus and regional diplomatic stakeholders — the risk of unintended escalation persists.
Observers also point out that internal political pressures within Islamabad, including responsiveness to domestic militant attacks, may strongly influence Pakistan’s tactical choices, even as Kabul and New Delhi call for a rules-based regional order.
What Comes Next
Diplomatic channels are expected to remain active as Afghanistan continues to protest the airstrikes and India reiterates its stance at international forums. Monitoring groups and foreign ministries will likely assess whether the incident leads to coordinated efforts for de-escalation or further diplomatic tension.
The evolving Afghanistan-Pakistan dynamic underscores the fragility of peace along the 2,600-km frontier and highlights the need for sustained dialogue to mitigate military escalations and protect civilians.