The Taliban spokesperson, reacting to recent Pakistani attacks on three provinces of Afghanistan, said that the group does not seek war but is trying to respond to these attacks with restraint. Zabihullah Mujahid added that the Taliban also has other options available to respond.
On Monday, 8 Saratan (according to the Afghan calendar), Mujahid told the domestic Shamshad Network: “If we cannot respond through the air, we can take revenge by land.” He also stated that it is not unlikely that the Taliban may, in the future, acquire the necessary capability to counter aerial attacks from Pakistan.
Referring to past conflicts, the Taliban spokesperson said that every country that has “invaded” Afghanistan has eventually regretted it. According to him, Pakistan is no exception and is not stronger than other countries that have previously gone to war with Afghanistan.
Following an attack by militants on a police center in the city of Karachi, Pakistan carried out strikes on the provinces of Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar. In the attack on the police center in Karachi, three police officers were killed and at least four other security personnel were injured. The Pakistani army claims that one of the detained attackers is an Afghan national.
Zabihullah Mujahid called this claim “illogical,” stating that whenever an explosion occurs in Karachi or other Pakistani cities, Pakistani authorities blame the Taliban. He emphasized that Pakistan should ensure security within its own cities instead of accusing others.
Pakistan has consistently accused the Taliban of harboring and supporting groups opposed to it, particularly the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The Taliban spokesperson rejected these allegations, saying that Pakistan should deal with the TTP within its own territory and that attributing the group’s activities to the Taliban is incorrect.
The Taliban has stated that in the overnight Pakistani attacks on the provinces of Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar, at least 36 civilians, including women and children, were killed and 163 others were injured. In contrast, Pakistan said that 29 militants were killed in these strikes, which targeted positions linked to the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
