Pakistan Foreign Minister Defends Airstrikes in Afghanistan as Anti-Terrorism Effort
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar stated on March 23, Pakistan National Day, that his country remains resolutely committed to eradicating terrorism, with actions inside Afghanistan against the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch groups forming part of that effort.
Dar referred to the TTP as "Kharijite mischief" and the Balochistan Liberation Army as "India's mischief." In his statement, he said: "Pakistan remains resolutely committed to eradicating the phenomenon of terrorism. Pakistan's actions inside Afghanistan against the threat of India's mischief and Kharijite mischief or TTP are in line with this goal."
Clashes between Taliban forces and Pakistani military personnel, along with Pakistani airstrikes on various parts of Afghanistan including Kabul, have entered their fourth week. Both sides claim to have inflicted heavy casualties on each other, though the figures cannot be independently verified.
Pakistani fighter jets have bombed areas in Kabul and southern provinces, killing dozens of civilians including children and women, according to reports. Recently, jets struck a drug addicts' treatment center in eastern Kabul, where Amu TV findings indicate at least 200 people were killed.
Pakistan announced a four-day unilateral ceasefire before Eid al-Fitr at the request of Saudi Arabia, but it was violated in some cases by missile and artillery attacks. The ceasefire ended after the fourth day of Eid al-Fitr, with reports of further missile and artillery strikes in border areas but no airstrikes since.
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Where reports agree
- Pakistan FM Ishaq Dar made a statement on March 23 justifying attacks in Afghanistan as anti-terrorism efforts targeting TTP and BLA.
- Ongoing clashes and Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan reported for fourth week, with unverified heavy casualties claimed by both sides.
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