Afghanistan Condemns Pakistan Over Airspace Violation

Islamabad, Aug 28 (PTI) Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry summoned Pakistan's Ambassador Ubaidur Rehman Nizamani on Thursday to condemn what it described as the "violation" of Afghan airspace and attacks on civilians near the border. According to a statement, the Foreign Ministry took this step in response to Pakistani military strikes on Afghanistan's Nangarhar and Khost provinces, which resulted in the deaths of three civilians and injuries to seven others. The ministry vehemently denounced the breach of Afghan airspace and the bombing of civilians near the Durand Line by the Pakistani army, asserting that Kabul views this as a "clear violation of Afghanistan's territorial integrity and a provocative act," as reported by Afghanistan's TOLO news. The statement further mentioned that the Pakistani authorities were explicitly informed that Afghanistan's airspace protection is a red line for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and that such reckless actions would inevitably have consequences. Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have soured since the Taliban's ascent to power in 2021, primarily due to Afghanistan's alleged inability to control Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan militants, who have escalated attacks on Pakistani forces. Facing a surge in terror incidents, Pakistan has urged Kabul to restrain militants operating from Afghan soil against Pakistan.