In a bold display of regional assertiveness gone awry, Pakistan’s air force launched strikes into Afghanistan on Sunday, prompting immediate backlash from India. The operation, conducted amid Ramadan observances, killed at least 17 people—predominantly civilians—and left six unaccounted for, according to Afghan reports.
Speaking to the press, India’s official MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal minced no words: ‘This irresponsible act by Pakistan during the holy month of Ramadan is strongly condemned by India.’ He linked the strikes to Islamabad’s chronic inability to address its domestic security woes, accusing it of exporting instability.
Pakistan defended the pre-dawn raids as a necessary counter-terrorism measure, with Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stating on X that intelligence pinpointed seven TTP camps in border regions of Nangarhar and Paktika. Yet, the human cost has overshadowed these claims.
Afghanistan’s Taliban-led administration was quick to retaliate verbally. Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid shared graphic accounts online: ‘Dozens of our civilians, women, and children were martyred and wounded in the bombings.’ This has spiked tensions, threatening fragile border peace.
New Delhi, a key stakeholder in Afghan stability, reaffirmed its commitment to Kabul’s sovereignty and unity. The episode highlights persistent fault lines: Pakistan’s fight against TTP spills over, while India views it as emblematic of broader Pakistani adventurism.
With both sides digging in, analysts warn of a volatile spiral. India’s stance serves as a diplomatic signal, urging restraint and multilateral dialogue to prevent wider fallout in South Asia’s tinderbox.