Pakistan blames India after Taliban claim strikes hit Kabul, Paktika
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Taliban accuse Pakistan of violating Afghanistan’s airspace and sovereignty after strikes hit Paktika near Kabul.
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Afghanistan's Minister of Defense Muhammad Yaqoob Mujahid Tumzi in an undated photo (X/@MoDAfghanistan2)
The Taliban government on Friday, October 10, accused Pakistan of violating Afghanistan’s sovereignty, claiming that cross-border strikes targeted areas deep inside the country, including the capital.
In a statement posted on social media, the Afghan Ministry of Defense said, “Once again, Pakistan has breached Afghanistan’s airspace. Its forces targeted a civilian market in the Margha area of Paktika province, near the Durand Line, and also violated the airspace over the capital, Kabul."
The statement described the action as "unprecedented, violent, and reprehensible in the history of Afghanistan and Pakistan," adding, "We strongly condemn this violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty and affirm that defending our airspace is our legitimate right."
The statement concluded, "Following these actions, regardless of how critical the situation becomes, the consequences will fall with the Pakistani army."
Once again, Pakistan has breached Afghanistan’s airspace. Its forces targeted a civilian market in the Margha area of Paktika province, near the Durand Line, and also violated the airspace over the capital, Kabul. pic.twitter.com/OCYLpnSJmF
— د ملي دفاع وزارت - وزارت دفاع ملی (@MoDAfghanistan2) October 10, 2025
Explosions heard in Kabul as market in Paktika is targeted
Although the statement did not specify how exactly Kabul’s territory was violated, AFP journalists in the capital reported hearing two powerful explosions late Thursday night.
On the same evening, residents in Marghi, a border town in Paktika Province, reported that a market selling second-hand weapons had been struck by air raids.
“If the situation becomes more tense after these actions, the consequences will be attributed to the Pakistani army,” the Taliban Defense Ministry warned.
Read more: India reopens embassy in Kabul as Taliban FM visits New Delhi
Afghan FM’s India visit amid escalating tensions
The incident coincides with a diplomatic development, as Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi made his first official visit to India. During the visit, New Delhi announced it would upgrade its mission in Kabul to a full embassy, a move likely to raise concerns in Pakistan, given its rivalry with India.
Tensions between Islamabad and Kabul have grown in recent months as Pakistan faces increased violence in its northwestern regions bordering Afghanistan.
The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has been responsible for a significant share of deadly attacks on Pakistani security forces. At least 12 Pakistani soldiers were reportedly killed this week alone in the border province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Earlier this year, a UN report stated that the TTP “receive substantial logistical and operational support from the de facto authorities,” referring to the Taliban government in Kabul. The Taliban administration has consistently denied these allegations.
Islamabad’s accusations against Taliban government
In a televised press conference on Friday, Pakistani military spokesperson General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry did not directly address the airstrikes. However, he asserted, “To safeguard Pakistani lives and properties, what measures need to be taken will be taken.”
Addressing Pakistan’s parliament on Thursday, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif stated that efforts to persuade the Afghan Taliban to stop supporting the TTP had failed.
Read more: Kabul welcomes rejection of foreign bases; new US citizen released
“We will not tolerate this any longer,” Asif said. “United, we must respond to those facilitating them, whether the hideouts are on our soil or Afghan soil.”
He added that any response could lead to unintended consequences, saying, “Everyone will have to bear the consequences, including those providing the hideouts.”
“Enough is enough,” he concluded. “The Pakistani government and army's patience has run out.”
Pakistan blames India for attack on Afgan market
Pakistan's army spokesperson, Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, accused India of using Afghan territory to orchestrate attacks against Pakistan.
Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, Chaudhry stated that groups within Afghanistan have access to safe havens and advanced weaponry.
He stated that militant attacks within Pakistan have increased in recent years, noting that in 2024 and 2025 alone, 161 Afghan nationals allegedly involved in terrorist incidents were killed by Pakistani security forces, and another 135 foreign fighters were killed while trying to cross the border into Pakistan from Afghanistan.
He further stated that the roughly 30 suicide bombing operations within the past two years were carried out by Afghan nationals.
“These figures clearly demonstrate how India is using Afghan soil as an operational base for terrorist activities against Pakistan,” Chaudhry said.
Read more: US spent $33 billion on post-Oct.7 genocide, wars, Brown Uni reports
