India on Tuesday strongly condemned recent airstrikes on Afghanistan at the United Nations, terming them “flagrant violations” of international law, the UN Charter and the principle of state sovereignty,
amid escalating cross-border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Speaking at the UN, India’s Permanent Representative Parvathaneni Harish referred to concerns raised in the Secretary-General’s report over civilian casualties caused by cross-border violence.
“…The Secretary-General’s report also expresses deep concern over civilian casualties caused by cross-border armed violence. We reiterate our support for the Secretary-General’s call urging compliance with obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, and ensuring the protection of civilians,” Harish said.
He added, “India strongly condemns the airstrikes on the territory of Afghanistan, which are flagrant violations of international law, the United Nations Charter, and the principle of state sovereignty…”
The remarks come as Pakistani and Afghan forces have launched multiple strikes against each other in what has become the deadliest fighting between the two neighbours to date. Islamabad has described the hostilities as an “open war.”
The clashes, now in their ninth day, have continued despite repeated international appeals for restraint. On Friday, both sides claimed to have killed dozens of enemy troops in cross-border operations.
A suicide car bomber also struck a security post in North Waziristan, which borders Afghanistan, killing one civilian and injuring 18 others, several seriously, according to a local doctor. No group immediately claimed responsibility, though suspicion has fallen on the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which frequently targets Pakistani security forces and civilians.
Afghanistan’s Taliban-run Defence Ministry said its forces had “destroyed numerous Pakistani military posts” along the border in Nangarhar, Kandahar, Kunar, Paktia and Khost provinces, claiming dozens of Pakistani soldiers were killed.
Pakistani state-run media, meanwhile, reported that the country’s air force and ground troops inflicted heavy losses on Afghan forces and the TTP in recent strikes. Islamabad said military operations launched last week would continue until Afghanistan takes verifiable steps to rein in the TTP and other militants allegedly operating from its territory.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Taliban government in Kabul of sheltering the TTP, a charge the Afghan authorities deny. Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, the TTP has intensified attacks inside Pakistan.
