India condemns Pakistan's air strikes in Afghanistan, calls for 'respect of sovereignty'

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India viewed the incident as another example of aggression from Pakistan.

Published on: Mar 14, 2026, 22:40:12 IST

Edited by Shivya Kanojia

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India on Saturday strongly criticised Pakistan for carrying out air strikes inside Afghanistan, saying the attacks had resulted in civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure.

Afghanistan soldiers gather on the Afghan side of the Torkham border crossing with Pakistan in Torkham, Afghanistan. (AP FIle)

Responding to media queries on the issue, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on X, India viewed the incident as another example of aggression from Pakistan. “India condemns the air strikes by Pakistan in Afghanistan's territory, leading to the death of several civilians and destruction of civilian infrastructure,” he said.

Jaiswal also said the development reflects continued hostility from Pakistan toward the concept of a sovereign Afghanistan. “This is yet another act of aggression by a Pakistani establishment that remains hostile to the idea of a sovereign Afghanistan.”

Also read| Pakistan strikes Kabul and Afghan border provinces, 4 killed in airstrikes

The remarks came after the Pakistani military carried out aerial strikes within Afghan territory in recent weeks, amid an escalating conflict between the two sides. India, meanwhile, reiterated its position that Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be fully respected.

Pakistan strikes Kabul and Afghan border provinces

Earlier, Pakistan carried out overnight air strikes in Afghanistan, including on the capital Kabul, killing four people and wounding 15, Afghan authorities said on Friday, as tensions between the two neighbours escalated again.

A spokesperson for the Taliban government said Pakistan had also bombed the fuel depot of private airline Kam Air near Afghanistan's Kandahar airport.

Pakistan's military has not yet issues a statement yet, but a Pakistani security source confirmed the strikes to news agency AFP. The official said that they targeted militants belonging to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistan Taliban.

The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that the operation targeted “accurate targets involving TTP.”

Islamabad has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of harbouring TTP militants responsible for a series of deadly attacks inside Pakistan. The Taliban government in Kabul has denied the allegations and insists Afghan territory is not being used for attacks against other countries.

Khalil Zadran, spokesperson for Kabul police, said the bombardment struck residential areas in the capital, leaving four people dead and 15 others injured.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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