NEW DELHI– India on Thursday slammed Pakistan for its long-standing practice of blaming neighboring countries for its own internal failures, as tensions flared along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
During the Ministry of External Affairs’ weekly media briefing, spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that Pakistan continues to harbor and support terrorist organizations.
“We are closely monitoring the situation,” Jaiswal said. “Three things are clear — one, Pakistan hosts terrorist organizations and sponsors terrorist activities. Two, it is an old practice of Pakistan to blame its neighbors for its own internal failures. And three, Pakistan is infuriated with Afghanistan exercising sovereignty over its own territories. India remains fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Afghanistan.”
His comments came amid escalating clashes and airstrikes along the border, prompting both countries to announce a temporary ceasefire on Wednesday.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that Pakistan and Afghanistan had agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire following a request from Islamabad. “At the request and insistence of the Pakistani side, a ceasefire will be implemented between the two countries after 5:30 p.m. The Islamic Emirate also instructs all its forces to observe the ceasefire after 5:30 p.m. as long as no one violates it,” Mujahid posted on X.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office also confirmed that both sides had agreed to suspend hostilities for 48 hours to allow for diplomatic talks.
According to Mujahid, Pakistani forces attacked the Spin Boldak district in southern Kandahar early Wednesday morning with light and heavy weapons, killing at least 12 Afghan civilians and injuring more than 100 others.
“In retaliatory operations, multiple Pakistani aggressor soldiers were killed, their posts and centers were captured, weapons and tanks fell into the hands of Afghan forces, and most of their military installations were destroyed,” he said.
India’s statement reflects its consistent stance on Pakistan’s support for terrorism and comes amid renewed instability in the region as the Taliban government seeks to assert control over Afghan territory. (Source: IANS)
