Kabul: Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called in the charge d’affaires of the Pakistani Embassy in Kabul on Wednesday in response to Pakistani airstrikes in the Barmal region of Paktika province that killed 46 people and wounded six more.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan summoned the Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Pakistan in Kabul to deliver a strong protest note regarding the airstrikes conducted by Pakistani military jets in the Barmal district of Paktika province near the theoretical Durand Line,” said Hafiz Zia Ahmad, the spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), in a post on X on Wednesday.

“The Pakistani military’s attack was strongly denounced, and the Pakistani Embassy was notified that although Pakistani civilian government representatives were holding talks with Afghan officials in Kabul, the Pakistani military’s violation of Afghanistan’s airspace and the killing of civilians are seen by some Pakistani circles as a calculated attempt to erode confidence and exacerbate tensions between the two countries. With a long history of protecting the nation from powerful nations, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan vehemently opposes any violation of its territorial integrity and is steadfast in its resolve to protect Afghanistan’s sovereignty and integrity,” the article said.

The spokesman for the MoFA further emphasized that safeguarding Afghanistan’s national land is a “red line” for the country and cautioned that such behavior will have repercussions.

“Furthermore, the Pakistani side has been clearly informed that protecting Afghanistan’s national sovereignty is a red line for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, and such actions are viewed as highly irresponsible and will inevitably bear repercussions,” wrote Zia Ahmad.

According to Khaama Press, which cited Pakistani media outlets close to the Pakistani Army, the Pakistani military had stated the day before that the airstrikes, which occurred on the night of December 24, were directed at Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) bases in Afghanistan. The attacks destroyed four TTP bases and killed multiple militants.

The Taliban’s Ministry of Defense, however, denied that only terrorists were targeted, claiming that the attack also affected “Waziristani refugees.”Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have increased as a result of this increase in bloodshed, and the Taliban have threatened vengeance.

In recent months, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), often known as the Pakistani Taliban, has stepped up its operations against Pakistani soldiers. Pakistan has accused the Afghan Taliban of harboring these militants.

The continued existence of TTP terrorists in Afghanistan has long been a source of tension between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban. The Afghan Taliban maintains that it is not working with the organization, despite Pakistan’s accusations that it harbors these terrorists.