India condemns Pakistan airstrikes in Afghanistan, urges end to cross‑border terrorism

India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal condemned recent Pakistani airstrikes launched from Pakistan into Afghanistan’s Paktia, Paktika and Kunar provinces, which killed dozens of civilians, including women and children, and wounded many more. He said India “strongly condemned the airstrikes” and expressed “firm support” for Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while reiterating that New Delhi’s involvement with Afghanistan remains limited to humanitarian aid and development projects.

India also linked the strikes to Pakistan’s alleged support for cross‑border terrorist groups, stating that the Indus Waters Treaty remains in abeyance until Pakistan “credibly and irrevocably abjures” such support. The statement echoed a joint India‑Japan condemnation issued after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, which called for international action against terrorist safe‑havens.

Pakistan defended the operations as legitimate strikes against Tehrik‑i‑Taliban Pakistan and Jamaat‑ul‑Ahrar targets, claiming the death of 25 militants, and dismissed India’s criticism as “baseless”. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan reported at least 28 civilian deaths and 49 injuries. The episode has heightened tensions between Pakistan, the Taliban‑run Afghan authorities, and India.