Pakistan airstrike kills 3 in Afghanistan, Taliban warns of ‘crushing response’

Relations between Kabul and Islamabad have remained strained over militant activity along border. (AP photo/ File)

At least three people were killed and several others injured in a Pakistani airstrike targeting Afghanistan's northeastern Kunar province, Tolo News reported on Monday, citing a provincial official.The military strike is supposedly in retaliation for suicide bombing at a police station compound in northwestern Pakistan, raising fears that tensions between the neighbouring nations could once again turn into open fighting.Pakistan and Afghanistan were involved in their most serious military confrontation in years in February. The latest escalation comes days after the Taliban warned that it would defend Afghan territory against any Pakistani military action.

Taliban warns of 'crushing response'

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, ahead of the imminent Pakistani strikes, had warned Islamabad against carrying out strikes inside Afghanistan, saying Kabul would respond militarily if its territory is attacked.In an interview with Al Arabiya English, Mujahid rejected Pakistan's allegations that militant groups based in Afghanistan recruit, train and launch attacks against Pakistan.“If Pakistan invokes Article 51 to violate the sanctity of Afghan territory, Afghanistan has the right to defend its country, and we will do so,” Mujahid said.

He said any Pakistani military operation inside Afghanistan would amount to a violation of Afghan sovereignty and could trigger a strong response from Kabul.Mujahid was responding to comments by a Pakistani military spokesperson, who had told Al Arabiya English that militant groups were using Afghan territory to recruit, train and arm fighters before sending them into Pakistan.

Kabul denies sheltering TTP

Mujahid rejected those allegations and said the Taliban administration does not allow the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, to operate from Afghan soil.He also denied that the Taliban government supports armed groups carrying out attacks against other countries. Instead, Mujahid said Pakistan should examine its own internal security problems, arguing that violence involving the TTP and Baloch armed groups existed before the Taliban returned to power in 2021.Pakistan has repeatedly accused militant groups of operating from Afghanistan and has pressed Kabul to take action against them.

The Taliban has consistently denied allowing Afghan territory to be used for attacks against Pakistan.

Afghanistan keeps door open for talks

Despite his warning of military retaliation, Mujahid said Kabul was still willing to engage with Islamabad through dialogue.He called for stronger intelligence-sharing arrangements and greater bilateral cooperation to address security concerns along the two countries' border.Mujahid also backed a possible mediation role for Saudi Arabia, saying Riyadh has good relations with both Afghanistan and Pakistan and could help the two sides resolve their differences.Relations between Kabul and Islamabad have remained strained over militant activity along their shared border. The latest airstrike, coming amid fresh security concerns, risks further worsening those ties and could lead to another confrontation between the neighbours.