'We Will Retaliate': Afghanistan Issues Strong Warning to Pakistan After Deadly Airstrikes

Afghanistan: Pakistan carried out air strikes inside Afghanistan from Friday night to Saturday morning. These attacks were carried out from F-16 and JF-17 fighter jets. Pakistan says they targeted 7 positions of TTP (Pakistani Taliban) and ISKP (Islamic State Khorasan) – these positions were in Paktika, Nangarhar, Paktia and Khost provinces. In particular, a missile was fired at a madrasa (Banoussi Madrasa) in Barmal district of Paktika.

What did Pakistan do?

Recently there was a suicide attack on a Shia mosque in Islamabad (31 deaths), there were also attacks in Bajaur and Bannu. Pakistan claims that all this was being planned from Afghan soil, and they have "concrete evidence". Pakistan is saying that it kept telling the Taliban repeatedly not to allow their land to be used against Pakistan, but no action was taken. Therefore this was an "intelligence-based" operation.

How many deaths from Afghanistan?

Taliban showed anger from Afghanistan's side. Their spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said, "Pakistani forces again intruded into Afghan territory. Last night they dropped bombs on our civilians in Nangarhar and Paktika – including women and children – dozens were martyred and injured. Pakistani generals cover up their country's security vulnerabilities with such crimes."

What is Taliban's warning?

The Taliban claim that 19 people from a single family were killed (women and children), and the total number of deaths is dozens. They said that Pakistan violated Afghan airspace, and Afghanistan has every right to retaliate. Taliban sources said, "We are assessing the damage. Nothing is final yet, but Kabul will definitely respond. There will be an attack at the right time."

Top Taliban leaders held emergency meetings in Kabul and Kandahar. They also told mediators like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey that Pakistan violated the agreements.

What will happen next?

Overall, there was already tension on the border – skirmishes, trade stoppages, allegations and counter-allegations. Now the news of airstrike and civilian deaths made everything even more heated. Pakistan is saying that it wants peace but will do anything for security. Taliban's reply is coming—let's see what happens. The situation is very delicate, people on both sides are in fear.