In a bold statement from Kabul, Afghanistan’s Higher Education Minister Nida Mohammad Nadim rebuked Pakistan for its relentless border incursions, asserting that Afghan patience is a strategic choice, not frailty. ‘We will reply to Islamabad at the appropriate moment,’ he declared, amid reports of fresh attacks that have inflamed bilateral relations.
Nadim drew attention to the devastating strike on Kunar province’s Sayed Jamaluddin Afghan University, where Pakistani mortars caused extensive damage. Despite the assault, he affirmed that Afghanistan’s pursuit of knowledge and development remains unshaken. The minister, a Taliban appointee, reflected on the group’s history of endurance, promising robust retaliation if provocations persist.
Monday’s barrage hit hard in Asadabad and Sarkano, claiming seven lives and wounding dozens. Local accounts describe shells landing in populated areas and directly on the university grounds, sowing fear among the academic community. This follows a pattern of cross-border fire that has strained ties between the neighbors.
Diplomatic fallout was immediate: Kabul’s Foreign Ministry called in Pakistan’s top diplomat, delivering a sharp demarche. The note lambasted the targeting of public spaces and educational institutions, labeling it a blatant sovereignty violation. Afghan officials dismissed Islamabad’s accusations of fault on their side, calling for impartial probes into the incidents.
As tensions simmer, Afghanistan warned against further escalations, stressing its sovereign duty to safeguard citizens. Nadim’s words carry weight in Taliban circles, hinting at a shift from restraint to readiness, with potential consequences for regional stability.
