Exclusive Afghanistan vows military response to Pakistan, accuses Islamabad of backing ISIS

Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government said Wednesday it would respond militarily to recent Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan territory, accusing Islamabad of targeting civilians and even providing “safe havens” to ISIS militants.

Pakistan carried out overnight airstrikes into Sunday in Afghanistan’s eastern Nangarhar and southeastern Paktika provinces, which Islamabad said targeted militant groups responsible for attacks inside Pakistan. The United Nations has reported civilian casualties from the strikes.

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“Naturally it would be a military response, but its details are confidential and I cannot explain further. Pakistan must receive a response for its shameful act,” Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told Al Arabiya English in an exclusive interview.

Mujahid accused Pakistan of striking civilian targets rather than militants.

In Nangarhar, he said, a family of 22 people was hit, with 17 killed and five injured. In Paktika, he said a school for children was struck, injuring one child and damaging several buildings.

“There were no armed individuals there. Only civilians were injured and killed, and civilian areas were targeted,” he said.

Pakistan has said it targeted Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants and ISIS-linked fighters allegedly operating from Afghan territory – claims Kabul denies.

Denial of militant presence

Mujahid rejected accusations that Afghanistan allows militant groups to use its soil against neighboring countries.

“Unfortunately, whenever attacks occur inside Pakistan, they immediately attribute them to Afghanistan without evidence and accuse us. We reject this. Afghan soil is not allowed to be used against anyone,” he said.

Mujahid said TTP, also known as the Pakistani Taliban, had no presence in Afghanistan. “These are Pakistan’s internal problems. TTP controls large areas inside Pakistan itself. They can live there; they do not need Afghan soil. And we would not allow them to use Afghan soil in the first place,” he said.

Mujahid said Pakistan had not provided evidence supporting its claims.

“Without presenting proof or evidence, they simply make claims, conduct propaganda, and then take actions that we consider unforgivable.”

Accusations against Pakistan

Mujahid went further, accusing Pakistan of harboring ISIS militants rather than combating them.

“Instead of suppressing ISIS, Pakistan has provided them with safe havens,” he said, alleging militant presence in parts of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“In some cases, they have used them against Afghanistan and sent them to carry out operations and terrorist attacks.”

Mujahid accused Islamabad of pursuing instability and insecurity in the region, saying: “We believe a particular military circle within Pakistan has been tasked with destabilizing the region.”

He said Taliban authorities had conducted extensive operations against ISIS inside Afghanistan.

“We carried out a very serious campaign against ISIS in Kabul and other provinces. We eliminated them. They have no physical presence in Afghanistan.”

Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have deteriorated sharply since the Taliban returned to power in 2021 following the withdrawal of US-led forces.

Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of failing to curb militants launching attacks across the border, while Taliban authorities deny harboring such groups and blame Islamabad’s internal security challenges.

Border crossings – vital for trade and travel – have been largely shut for months following deadly clashes that killed dozens on both sides.

Mujahid blamed Pakistan for failed diplomatic efforts, saying Islamabad “consistently created excuses that led to failure.”

“This shows they do not favor calm in the region. Rather, they have objectives aimed at destabilizing it. This is an external mission assigned to them by major powers to create insecurity and ignite conflict,” he said.

Calls for international pressure

Mujahid urged regional and Muslim-majority countries in particular to condemn Pakistan’s actions and press Islamabad to change course.

“We want all countries to support the security and stability established in Afghanistan and help strengthen it so we can move the region toward lasting stability,” he said.

“We want regional and Islamic countries to understand their responsibility and persuade Pakistan to change its approach. Countries should use their influence to prevent such incidents from happening again.”

Despite the tensions, Mujahid described Afghanistan and Pakistan as “two very close nations with many shared interests,” but said Islamabad should address its own security issues without blaming Kabul.

“Security problems inside Pakistan have nothing to do with Afghanistan. They should address their own issues and not further damage relations, because that harms both countries and the region.”

Read more: Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban authorities say Pakistan strikes kill, injure dozens