Former Afghan High Council for National Reconciliation chairman Abdullah Abdullah has condemned Pakistan’s recent strikes in the Afghan provinces of Paktia, Paktika and Kunar, saying military action will only deepen tensions rather than resolve disputes.
In a statement published on social media on Monday, Abdullah said the attacks had killed and injured a large number of Afghan civilians.
He stressed that experience has repeatedly shown that the use of force and military operations cannot provide a lasting or effective solution to disputes.
Abdullah said the only viable path forward is adherence to the principles of good neighbourly relations, constructive dialogue and the peaceful resolution of differences through diplomacy.
Pakistan’s military carried out strikes on three locations in Paktia, Paktika and Kunar on Sunday evening.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the attacks killed at least 36 civilians, including women and children, and wounded 163 others.
Pakistan, however, said the strikes targeted hideouts belonging to Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and claimed that 29 militants were killed during the operation.
The conflicting accounts have not been independently verified, and tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan remain high following the cross-border strikes.
