Will Afghanistan retaliate for Pakistan’s airstrike? Afghan government issues statement

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Violence has flared up once again between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Pakistan launched a deadly attack on Afghanistan, killing eight people, including three cricketers. Meanwhile, a statement has been released by Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.

Zabihullah Mujahid said, “In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate, in accordance with its promise to hold talks with the Pakistani side in Doha, a high-level delegation of the Islamic Emirate, led by the country's Defense Minister, respected Maulvi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, left for Doha today.”

He further wrote that, on the other hand, last night, Pakistani military forces once again carried out airstrikes on civilian areas in Paktika province, resulting in numerous civilian casualties, including both martyrs and wounded. The Islamic Emirate strongly condemns these repeated crimes and violations of Afghanistan's sovereignty by Pakistani forces and considers such actions provocative and an attempt to prolong the war.

“Although the Islamic Emirate reserves the right to respond to the aggression and violation of its sovereignty by Pakistani forces, in order to preserve the dignity and honor of its negotiating team, the Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate will refrain from new actions,” the Afghan spokesman said.

We reiterate once again that Afghanistan believes in a peaceful solution and regional security, but whatever happens is a result of aggression from the Pakistani side.”

It should be noted that earlier media reports had suggested that talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan would be held in Doha. However, this was not officially confirmed. Meanwhile, the Afghan delegation has already departed to attend the meeting.

Regarding the ongoing violent conflict between the two sides, US President Donald Trump said, "I understand that Pakistan has attacked, or Afghanistan is being attacked. If I have to resolve this, that's easy for me. In the meantime, I have to run America, but I like resolving wars. Do you know why? I like preventing people from dying, and I've saved millions of lives."