The Kabul Tribune (KT) —Pakistan will continue what its military describes as targeted airstrikes against militant threats originating in Afghanistan, Army Chief Asim Munir said Thursday, as tensions rise between Islamabad and the Taliban authorities.
Munir made the remarks Thursday while chairing the 277th
Corps Commanders’ Conference at the military’s headquarters in Rawalpindi.
According to a military statement, the commanders endorsed continued operations
against what they described as terrorism emanating from Afghanistan.
The military also accused the Taliban authorities of
facilitating militant groups on behalf of India and warned that the Taliban
leadership would be responsible for the consequences. The allegations have not
been independently verified. The Taliban authorities have repeatedly denied
providing shelter or support to groups responsible for attacks in Pakistan.
The statements follow Pakistani airstrikes inside
Afghanistan on Oct. 1. Pakistan said the strikes targeted militant hideouts in
Kunar and Helmand provinces, claiming 22 militants were killed and weapons and
ammunition destroyed.
Afghan authorities said the strikes hit residential areas
and caused civilian casualties. The United Nations Assistance Mission in
Afghanistan reported that at least 10 civilians, most of them children, were
killed and nine others injured in the strikes.
