Kabul Condemns Pakistan’s “Unlawful” Airstrikes, Vows Retaliation as Cross-Border Tensions Boil Over

KABUL – The Taliban-led government has issued a fierce condemnation of Pakistan following a series of cross-border airstrikes, denouncing the attacks as an “unlawful violation of national sovereignty” and declaring that Afghanistan reserves the right to respond militarily at a time of its choosing.

The airstrikes, which targeted the eastern Afghan provinces of Khost, Paktika, and Kunar in the early hours of November 25, resulted in significant civilian casualties. According to a detailed statement from the Afghan Ministry of Defense, the bombardment killed at least ten civilians, including nine children and one woman, and wounded four others.

The deadliest single incident occurred in the Gorbaz district of Khost province, where a residential compound was struck shortly after midnight. Images and videos circulated online by Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid depicted the devastating aftermath, showing the bodies of young children laid side-by-side, wrapped in blankets. The graphic evidence triggered a wave of shock and national anger across Afghan social media platforms.

A Statement of Defiance from Kabul

In an official statement released on Tuesday, Mujahid characterized the bombardment as a “clear and blatant breach of Afghanistan’s sovereignty” that contradicts “all internationally accepted norms and principles.” The language was notably sharper and more confrontational than in previous diplomatic communications.

“Such reckless actions do not serve Pakistan’s long-term interests in any way,” the statement read. “Instead, they only reinforce the continued failure and disgrace of Pakistan’s military establishment. These criminal attacks bring no outcome for Pakistan. Once again, they prove that operations based on inaccurate intelligence achieve nothing except escalation, scandal, and further failure.”

The statement culminated in a firm declaration of Afghanistan’s right to self-defense: “The Islamic Emirate strongly condemns this violation and aggression, and reiterates that defending the airspace, land, and the people of Afghanistan is its legitimate and non-negotiable right. A necessary response will be taken at the appropriate time.”

The Spark and the Tinderbox

Pakistan has not yet issued an official statement claiming responsibility for the strikes. However, regional analysts and the timing of the attacks point to a direct retaliation for a recent high-profile incident. Just hours before the airstrikes, a suicide assault targeted a key security installation in Peshawar, Pakistan. Pakistani authorities were quick to attribute the attack to militants they claim are operating from sanctuaries inside Afghanistan—an accusation the Taliban government has consistently and vehemently denied.

This latest exchange underscores a dangerous escalation in long-simmering cross-border tensions. Islamabad has repeatedly accused Kabul of providing safe haven to the Pakistani Taliban (Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP), a designated terrorist group waging a insurgency against the Pakistani state. The Afghan Taliban, while ideologically aligned with the TTP, insists it does not allow its territory to be used for attacks on neighboring countries. Kabul, in turn, argues that Pakistan is using the threat of militancy as a political tool to exert pressure and influence.

A Deepening Regional Crisis

Regional observers warn that these airstrikes represent one of the most serious breakdowns in Afghan-Pakistani relations since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. The two sides have engaged in multiple rounds of dialogue in Doha and Istanbul, resulting in fragile, temporary cease-fire arrangements, but none have yielded a lasting diplomatic solution.

“This is a significant and dangerous inflection point,” said Ayesha Hassan, a senior analyst at the South Asia Policy Institute. “We are seeing a shift from cross-border artillery fire and condemnatory press releases to targeted airstrikes deep inside Afghan territory. This indicates a calculated escalation by Pakistan, testing the Taliban’s resolve and military capabilities. The Taliban’s vow to retaliate, rather than just protest, sets the stage for a potentially violent cycle of action and reaction.”

The Human Cost and International Concern

Humanitarian organizations have expressed grave concern over the rising civilian toll. “We are deeply alarmed by reports of children being killed in these strikes,” said a spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross in the region. “Civilians are once again paying the highest price in this conflict. We urge all parties to adhere to international humanitarian law and prioritize the protection of non-combatants.”

International analysts echo these concerns, warning that without a robust and neutral diplomatic mechanism to de-escalate tensions, civilians will remain the primary victims of retaliation-driven military operations on both sides of the porous and volatile border. The international community, they say, faces a critical test in preventing a localized conflict from spiraling into a broader regional crisis.

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