Khalilzad Attributes Pakistan's Airstrikes on Afghanistan to Years of Misguided Policies

Zalmay Khalilzad, former U.S. special representative for Afghanistan, stated that the root of Pakistan's recent airstrikes on parts of Afghanistan lies in "years of wrong decisions, seemingly smart but failed maneuvers, and weak governance."

Khalilzad condemned the strikes, citing reports from credible sources of civilian casualties including women, children and elders killed or wounded. He described the attacks as "a tragedy for the people of Pakistan and its neighbors, especially Afghans," and pointed to Pakistan's structural issues such as "suppression of oppressed minorities, repeated destruction of democratic election results, and frequent military interventions in power."

The remarks follow nighttime airstrikes by Pakistani jets on areas in Paktika and Nangarhar provinces. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid claimed the strikes killed dozens of civilians and accused Pakistani generals of seeking to cover internal security weaknesses.

Afghanistan's permanent mission to the United Nations issued a statement calling for an immediate halt to the attacks and urging Islamabad to act in accordance with the UN Charter and international law principles.

Former Afghan Vice President Amrullah Saleh said the situation is a direct result of Pakistan's misguided policies, with civilian killings used to evade the main issue. Former Foreign Minister Haneef Atmar warned that such military actions will not deter threats but risk escalating conflict and regional instability, calling for urgent UN Security Council action.

Fazl Hadi Muslimyar, former head of the Senate, called the strikes a direct violation of Afghanistan's sovereignty that will not go unanswered. Former Refugees Minister Noor Ahmad Khalqi condemned the civilian deaths, stating Afghans should not become human shields for regional and international terrorists or a tool for ethnic-ideological projects.

Pakistani officials said the strikes targeted positions of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP). Pakistan's Information Ministry claimed three recent attacks in Pakistan, including a deadly suicide bombing in Bannu, were planned by militants based in Afghanistan, with the airstrikes as retaliation.

The Taliban stated the victims were civilians and vowed a "calculated response." No broad reactions have come from regional countries or international bodies.