ISLAMABAD — Pakistan on Tuesday rejected allegations by the Afghan Taliban that it had conducted overnight airstrikes inside Afghanistan, with Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry calling the claims “baseless.”
“Pakistan has not attacked Afghanistan,” Lt Gen Chaudhry said, emphasizing that the country conducts all military operations openly and never targets civilians. “We are a state and respond only as a state,” he added, underlining that Pakistan’s actions are strictly guided by clear principles.
The statement follows accusations by Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, who alleged that Islamabad carried out strikes in Khost, Kunar, and Paktika provinces, reportedly killing 10 people. Local officials, including Mustaghfir Gurbuz, spokesman for the governor of Khost, claimed the attacks were carried out using drones and aircraft.
“The Islamic Emirate strongly condemns this violation and reiterates that defending its airspace, territory, and people is its legitimate right, and it will respond appropriately at the right time,” Mujahid said.
Lt Gen Chaudhry stressed that Pakistan’s fight is “against terrorism, not the Afghan people,” and urged the Taliban regime to act like a responsible state. “There is no good or bad Taliban in our view, and there is no distinction among terrorists,” he added.
The ISPR chief also called for an immediate ban on non-custom-paid vehicles, noting that “many terrorism incidents have involved non-custom-paid vehicles,” highlighting a security concern within the region.
