'Yet Another Act Of Aggression': India Condemns Pakistan Air Strikes Inside Afghanistan, Says Kabul's Sovereignty Should Be Respected

India has condemned Pakistan's recent air strikes inside Afghanistan, saying the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Kabul must be respected, the Indian Express reported.

In a response to media queries on recent attacks by Pakistan on Afghanistan, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Saturday (14 March) said India condemns the strikes that caused civilian casualties and damaged civilian infrastructure.

"India condemns the air strikes by Pakistan in Afghanistan’s territory, leading to the death of several civilians and destruction of civilian infrastructure," Jaiswal said.

"This is yet another act of aggression by a Pakistani establishment that remains hostile to the idea of a sovereign Afghanistan," the MEA spokesperson said.

"India reiterates that Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity should be fully respected," he added.

The strikes are the latest flashpoint in a rapidly escalating conflict in the recent weeks between the two neighbours.

Pakistan carried out air strikes inside Afghan territory after accusing Kabul of sheltering militants responsible for attacks inside Pakistan.

On 27 February, Pakistani forces bombed Kabul and two other Afghan provinces, hours after Afghan forces launched a cross-border attack on Pakistani troops.

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif described the situation as an "open war" with Afghanistan's Taliban government.

The latest escalation is part of months of tit-for-tat clashes between the two countries, whose relations have historically been strained by deep mistrust and recurring border tensions dating back to 1947.

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