New Delhi: India reiterated its strong support for Afghanistan’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence and condemned reports of Afghan civilians being killed during ongoing clashes on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Responding to questions during a regular media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We have seen reports of clashes on the border, in which several Afghan civilians have been killed. We condemn such attacks on innocent Afghan people.”
India fully supports Afghanistan’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence. His comments come amidst cross-border firing between Pakistani and Afghan forces, with both sides accusing each other of instigating the violence. Tensions have escalated after recent Saudi Arabian efforts to broker a ceasefire between Kabul and Islamabad failed.
On social media, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid alleged that Pakistan launched attacks in the Spin Boldak area of Kandahar province late Friday night, prompting a retaliatory response from Afghan forces. Mujahid posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Unfortunately, this evening, the Pakistani side once again launched attacks on the Afghan side in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar. The forces of the Islamic Emirate were then forced to respond.”
Afghanistan’s TOLOnews reported that local officials in Spin Boldak claimed that Afghan forces retaliated against what they described as an overnight attack targeting civilians, resulting in casualties and damage.
Ali Mohammad Hakmal, head of information for Spin Boldak district, said, “Pakistan targeted people’s homes and the local population. Five people were killed and five others were injured in these attacks. Pakistan initiated the attack, and then the forces of the Islamic Emirate responded. Although we stopped fighting, they continued to attack civilian targets.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper quoted a senior official in Quetta as saying that the firing began around 10 pm on Friday night and continued until late into the night. According to the report, previous talks mediated by Turkey and Qatar also failed to reach an agreement on a long-term ceasefire. Tensions have persisted in the border area for more than a month. Pakistan is accused of launching several air operations in Afghan territory due to the ongoing hostilities.
