Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, responded to queries by condemning the strikes outright. He pointed out the loss of innocent lives and harm to civilian assets, framing the incidents as evidence of Pakistan’s antagonism toward Afghanistan’s sovereignty.

‘India emphasizes the vital need to honor Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,’ Jaiswal added, underscoring New Delhi’s longstanding position. The Pakistani jets struck key areas on Thursday night and Friday, affecting provinces like Kabul—where four deaths and over 25 injuries were reported—Kandahar, Paktika, Khost, and Nangarhar. A notable target was a Kandahar oil depot.

Afghanistan hit back swiftly. Its Defense Ministry revealed strikes on Pakistani positions in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including a fortress and command post along the disputed Durand Line. Posted on X, the announcement described the operation as a precise retaliation to Pakistan’s initial aggression.

This back-and-forth military exchange highlights deepening rifts between the two nations, complicated by historical border disputes and militancy concerns. India’s vocal criticism not only supports Kabul but also serves as a warning against unilateral actions that threaten regional peace.

With lives lost and facilities ruined, the strikes amplify calls for diplomatic intervention. Observers worry that without de-escalation, the porous Afghan-Pakistani frontier could ignite a larger firestorm, impacting stability across South Asia and beyond.

Speaking from an undisclosed location within Pakistan, Mehsud alleged that the Pakistani military deliberately propagated false information about his death. He stated this was a calculated propaganda effort aimed at deceiving both the Pakistani populace and the international community, creating a false impression of progress in the fight against terrorism. Mehsud further claimed to possess visual evidence demonstrating the TTP’s significant territorial control within Pakistan.

Noor Wali Mehsud took the helm of the TTP in 2018, following the elimination of his predecessors in U.S. drone strikes. Under his command, the terror group has been revitalized, with splinter factions reunited and the insurgency reignited. This resurgence has led to a marked increase in terror attacks throughout Pakistan, particularly in the northwestern tribal regions adjacent to Afghanistan. The TTP’s intensified assaults on both military and civilian targets under Mehsud’s leadership evoke memories of the devastating 2014 Peshawar school massacre.

This incident further highlights Pakistan’s ongoing struggles with terrorism on its own soil, contradicting its claims of combating the menace. Analysts point out that Mehsud’s reappearance underscores the state’s perceived hypocrisy in allegedly sheltering and sponsoring terrorism internationally, while simultaneously attempting to project an image of control domestically. Pakistan has also continued its unsubstantiated accusations against India regarding support for the TTP, claims New Delhi has consistently refuted.

The TTP leader’s reappearance follows a period of heightened border tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. These clashes escalated after Pakistan conducted airstrikes on October 9 in Kabul, Khost, and Jalalabad, reportedly targeting Mehsud. In response, Afghan Taliban forces launched coordinated attacks on Pakistani border posts between October 11 and 12, capturing several positions before Pakistani forces retaliated with drone strikes in Kandahar and Helmand, resulting in numerous casualties.