Pakistan must receive a response for its ‘shameful act’: Mujahid

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has warned of a military response to recent Pakistani airstrikes, accusing Islamabad of targeting civilians and backing Daesh fighters.

Speaking in an interview with Al Arabiya, IEA spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the strikes in Nangarhar and Paktika were “a shameful act”, adding that “Pakistan must receive a response.” He said that details of the planned retaliation are confidential.

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.

He accused Pakistan of instead sheltering Daesh elements in parts of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, claiming some have been used to launch attacks inside Afghanistan. Mujahid said Daesh has been “eliminated” within Afghan territory following IEA operations.

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.”

Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have sharply deteriorated in recent years. Pakistan continues to accuse Kabul of failing to curb militant attacks, while Afghan authorities say Pakistan’s problems are internal.

Key crossings essential for trade have remained mostly closed for months.

The spokesman urged neighboring and Muslim-majority countries to pressure Pakistan to change its approach, saying stability in Afghanistan benefits the wider region.

“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.