The U.S. Department of State has announced that Washington supports Pakistan’s right to defend itself against “terrorist attacks.” The statement comes amid renewed discussions over border tensions and military operations between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
According to reports, Pakistan has carried out at least 13 air and ground strikes against targets inside Afghanistan over the past several years. Islamabad maintains that these operations are directed against militant groups which, according to Pakistani officials, use Afghan territory to plan and launch attacks inside Pakistan.
The Afghan side, however, considers such strikes a violation of Afghanistan’s national sovereignty and says that civilians have, at times, been harmed during these operations. Kabul has called on Islamabad to halt such actions, emphasizing that security-related disputes should be resolved through diplomatic channels.
Meanwhile, the recent remarks by the U.S. Department of State have been interpreted by some as an endorsement of Pakistan’s defensive position. At the same time, the issue of the 13 cross-border strikes conducted inside Afghanistan continues to be viewed as a significant factor contributing to rising regional tensions.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
