Pakistan’s airstrikes on parts of Kandahar, Khost, and Kabul have triggered a range of reactions from political figures and citizens on social media. While some view the strikes as pressure on the Taliban, others have condemned them as a “blatant violation” of Afghanistan’s sovereignty.
Naseer Ahmad Faiq, Acting Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations, described Pakistan’s airstrikes on Kabul and Kandahar as a serious breach of international law and Afghanistan’s territorial integrity. He said, “These actions are the result of decades of Pakistan’s interference and misguided policies, the consequences of which the people of Afghanistan have endured for years.”
Faiq also emphasized that the fight against terrorism should not be selective and that Afghans have the right to determine their future without foreign interference. He warned that if the attacks continue, Afghanistan will formally file a complaint with the UN Security Council.
Fawzia Koofi, former member of parliament, reacted to the airstrikes by saying, “Our people have never had a moment to breathe.”
Journalist Lina Rozbih wrote in response to the attacks: “On what grounds do the Taliban shelter the vile leaders of Pakistani terrorist groups like Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Afghanistan’s capital, playing with people’s lives and turning the country into a battleground for proxy wars?”
Rozbih also referred to the Taliban spokesperson’s reaction, writing: “Zabihullah Mujahid described the explosion in Kabul as a fuel tanker blast! This deceitful group can no longer hide the truth. These aircraft, sometimes from the U.S., from Pakistan, and perhaps soon from other countries, are flying over Kabul to target the homes of notorious terrorist network leaders.”
Following the attack, Mohajer Farahi, Taliban Deputy Minister of Information and Culture, called on Afghans to prepare for “jihad” against Pakistan, claiming that the Taliban had taken its own people hostage.
Abdul Salam Zaeef, the former Taliban ambassador to Islamabad, commented on the recent tensions, saying that although the conflict could be prolonged and bloody, its ultimate solution lies in dialogue and understanding. “Peace and stability serve the interests of all sides and the entire region. I urge Pakistani politicians to work toward regional peace and stability,” he said.
Meanwhile, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on Wednesday called for an immediate halt to the fighting between the Taliban and Pakistan, citing rising civilian casualties. “We urge all parties to cease hostilities immediately to protect civilian lives and prevent further casualties,” UNAMA said in a statement, adding that dozens of civilians had been killed or injured in recent border clashes, though the full extent of the damage was still being assessed.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk welcomed the announcement of a temporary ceasefire between the Taliban and Pakistan. Emphasizing that civilians have suffered the most in clashes between Taliban fighters and Pakistani forces, he called for the protection of non-combatants.
On Tuesday evening, residents of Kabul once again witnessed two airstrikes in the Taimani area. Hours later, social media accounts linked to the Pakistani military confirmed that Pakistan had carried out the operations, claiming that the targets were members of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and Taliban fighters.
On Wednesday, October 15, residents of the Taimani area reported two airstrikes along the 5th, 2nd, and 3rd streets of the area. Following the attacks, accounts close to the Pakistani army reiterated that the strikes targeted TTP and Taliban positions in Afghanistan.
Shortly after the incidents, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the explosions on X (formerly Twitter) but attributed them to a fuel tanker fire.
In the aftermath of the airstrikes and resulting explosions, at least 40 people were taken to the Emergency Hospital in Kabul. The medical facility reported that five of the wounded had died and that the condition of 10 others was critical. The casualties reportedly included women and children.
Following the escalation of hostilities, the foreign ministries of both Pakistan and the Taliban announced that the two sides had agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire. Pakistan stated that the truce was requested by the Taliban, while the Taliban confirmed the agreement but claimed it was reached at Pakistan’s insistence.
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
جنگ طالبان و پاکستان؛ نگرانیها و واکنشهای متضاد شهروندان افغانستان
