Pakistan announces it targeted security threats in airstrikes against Afghanistan

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch answered journalists' questions at a weekly press conference in the capital, Islamabad. Baloch stated that an intelligence-based operation was conducted against "security threats" positioned in Afghanistan because they posed a threat to the safety of Pakistani citizens.

Stating that they respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Afghanistan, Baloch expressed that protecting its citizens is Pakistan's primary priority. Regarding the locations targeted on Afghan soil, Baloch said, "There were threats posed by terrorist elements against Pakistan and its citizens."

Rejecting allegations that civilians were targeted in the attacks, Baloch did not share details regarding which group the operation was directed at.

On the other hand, it was claimed in Pakistani media that the operation was carried out against Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) camps located on Afghan territory.

AFGHANISTAN ANNOUNCES 46 CIVILIANS KILLED

On December 24, Pakistani fighter jets had carried out airstrikes on certain areas in Afghanistan's Paktika province, near the border between the two countries. The Afghan administration, which reacted strongly to the attacks, stated that this was contrary to international norms and would "not go unanswered." Afghan officials announced that civilians were targeted in the attacks and that 46 civilians, mostly women and children, had lost their lives. Furthermore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Afghan interim government summoned Pakistan's Chargé d'Affaires in Kabul to the ministry to express its reaction.

PAKISTAN'S TERROR PROBLEM

There has been a significant increase in terror attacks in recent years in Pakistan's provinces bordering Afghanistan, such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

In both provinces, armed groups claiming to defend the rights of Pashtun and Baloch ethnic groups carry out attacks against Pakistani security forces and civilians.

While Islamabad argues that the TTP, which mainly carries out attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, is positioned in Afghanistan and organizes its attacks from there, the Afghan administration denies these allegations.

Previously, the Pakistani army had targeted TTP bases in Afghanistan's Khost, Paktia, and Kunar provinces, and these attacks had caused tension between the administrations of the two countries.

News Source: 12punto