Afghanistan asked for it

2026-02-23 - 21:43

PAKISTAN was forced to carry out air strikes against terrorist safe havens across the Durand Line but Afghanistan has called them a ‘blatant violation and criminal act against Afghan territory’, adding ‘it clearly violated international law and the principles of good-neighbourliness. In a statement on ‘X’, spokesperson for the Afghan Government Zabihullah Mujahid claimed that Pakistan attacked Afghan civilian targets and religious sites and that the Afghan side would make an appropriate and carefully considered response at an appropriate time. The Taliban’s foreign ministry also termed the attacks violations of Afghanistan airspace, describing them as a “clear violation of Afghanistan’s territorial integrity” and a provocative act by Pakistan. The ministry said that continued incursions would carry consequences. It is strange that Afghanistan remembered the importance and respect for international law and the principles of good-neighbourliness only after dens of hard core criminals it is hosting since long were attacked by Pakistan defence forces in response to an almost daily killing of people in suicide bombings and terrorist attacks. Does international law permit use of soil of one country for criminal activities against another country? Why did Afghanistan pay no heed to consistent appeals by Pakistan to take verifiable action against TTP elements operating from its soil for years? Is the Afghan government’s collusion with TTP and Indian intelligence agencies in line with the principles of good-neighbourliness? Unfortunately, Afghanistan has not learnt any lesson despite a clear message that Pakistan delivered last year by targeting terrorist hideouts in some areas of Afghanistan. The Afghan government’s negative attitude pushed the two countries towards a war, prompting friendly countries like Turkiye and Qatar to mediate but several rounds of talks produced no positive outcome solely because of unwillingness of the Afghan side to take action against TTP elements operating from its soil against Pakistan. President Asif Ali Zardari has aptly explained Islamabad’s position asserting that Pakistan’s recent actions are rooted in its inherent right to defend its people against terrorism emanating from across its borders and follow repeated warnings that went unheeded. The President noted with concern that the de facto authorities in Kabul, a regime not recognized by the United Nations, have continued to permit terrorist elements to operate from Afghan soil in violation of their commitments under the Doha Accord, wherein they pledged that Afghan territory would not be used against any country. The statement of the President is a clear indicator that things will not stop at targeting militant hideouts alone in case of complacency by the Taliban regime. He warned that Pakistan is fully aware of where the planners, facilitators and patrons of violence are based and if bloodshed continues inside Pakistan, those responsible will not remain beyond reach. Another showdown between the two countries seems to be a possibility in view of what is contained in the statements of the Taliban’s foreign ministry and Zabiullah Mujahid, which focus on giving a response to Pakistan rather than talking about the need to address the roots of tension between the two countries. As for claims about killings of civilians and targeting of religious sites in Pakistani strikes, the malicious narrative is aimed at creating cover for terrorist sanctuaries. The Fitna al-Khawarij (FAK) routinely blends into civilian areas and uses non combatants as human shields, Pakistan’s operational planning accounts for this pattern and takes measures to reduce or eliminate any collateral damage. Similarly, the claim that Pakistan targets sacred sites is fully fabricated fake news for emotional exploitation. What terrorists describe as “mosques” or “madrassahs” are marakiz (centres), shelter camps and training nodes, used to spread ideology, plan, train, stage and launch attacks. The fake narratives will neither change the reality nor benefit the Kabul regime, which should respond positively to the logical demand of Pakistan for a joint action against TTP elements based in Afghanistan.