ISLAMABAD – In a stern address on Saturday, the President of Pakistan cautioned Afghanistan’s Taliban leadership against targeting Pakistani civilians with drone strikes, declaring that such actions have “crossed a red line.” He further stated that the government in Kabul has invited “grave consequences” upon itself with these provocations.
The remarks from President Asif Ali Zardari mark another chapter in the escalating tension between the two neighboring nations, which has become increasingly violent over the past few weeks. Despite diplomatic efforts by China and Turkey to mediate, the cross-border hostilities that began late last month show no signs of subsiding.
Pakistani authorities reported intercepting drones launched last Friday, but the debris from these interceptions injured two children in Quetta and two additional individuals in other parts of the country.
In response, the Taliban administration in Afghanistan accused Pakistan of conducting airstrikes within Kabul and other eastern regions, alleging that these actions resulted in at least six civilian deaths and injured 15 more.
Subsequently, Kabul claimed that its air force retaliated by striking military targets near Islamabad and in northwest Pakistan.
Pakistan, however, has denied these civilian-targeting allegations, asserting that their military efforts are directed solely at the Pakistani Taliban and their allied networks. Referring to the ongoing situation as an “open war,” Islamabad’s stance has heightened international concerns over regional stability, especially amidst the broader U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran affecting the Middle East and beyond.
The Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that Pakistani aircraft also struck fuel depots belonging to the private airline Kam Air near the airport in the southern city of Kandahar, which he said supplies civilian and U.N. flights.
Pakistan accuses the Afghan Taliban government of harboring Pakistani militant groups — mainly the Pakistani Taliban — that cross the porous volatile border between the two countries to stage attacks against Pakistani forces and also of allying with its archrival, India. kabul denies harboring militant groups.
On Friday, a roadside bomb targeting Pakistani police killed seven officers in the northwestern district of Lakki Mawat.
Zardari slammed the government in Kabul.
“While the Afghan terrorist regime seeks negotiations with our friendly countries, it crossed a red line by attempting to target our civilians,” he said.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday urged for a peaceful resolution of the Afghanistan-Pakistan dispute, warning the use of force worsens tensions and threatens regional stability. His remarks were reported Saturday by China’s official Xinhua News Agency, which said Wang had spoken with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
Wang said China’s special envoy is shuttling between the two countries in an effort to promote restraint and encourage a ceasefire. Muttaqi said Afghanistan seeks regional peace and does not want a military conflict, adding that dialogue remains the only solution and urging China to play a greater role.
A Qatari-mediated ceasefire in October briefly reduced tensions, but subsequent talks in Turkey failed to produce a lasting agreement.
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Qahar reported from Kabul, Afghanistan. Associated Press writer Kanis Leung in Hong Kong contributed to this report.
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