Khawaja Asif Calls Kabul Airstrikes ‘Legitimate’, Opposition Leader Fazl-ur-Rehman Criticizes Action

Pakistan’s Defence Minister has defended recent airstrikes in Kabul as legitimate, asserting they target militants, while opposition leader Fazl-ur-Rehman criticized the attacks as disproportionate and provocative.

Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif described comparisons of Islamabad’s military operations against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Afghanistan territory with India’s recent strikes on Pakistan as “incorrect and inappropriate,” emphasizing Pakistan’s justified response to cross-border threats.

The leader of Pakistan’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam yesterday strongly criticized recent actions by the Pakistan Army, condemning its airstrike on Kabul and comparing it to India’s attacks on Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Fazl-ur-Rehman said: “When you attack Kabul, it is like India attacking Islamabad. Pakistan’s attack on Kabul is equivalent to India striking Kashmir or any other part of Pakistan. If this strike had been anywhere else in Afghanistan, it might have been understandable; but in Kabul, it is not acceptable.”

Asif stated on Tuesday on X that India has so far provided “no credible evidence” linking Pakistan to the April attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians. India responded with airstrikes targeting alleged militant bases in Pakistan, prompting Islamabad to launch a counter-response.

Pakistan has long expressed concerns over militant groups operating across the Afghanistan border, repeatedly urging Talibanauthorities to prevent TTP from using Afghanistan territory as a launchpad for attacks on Pakistani soil. The Taliban have denied any support for Pakistani militants, accusing Pakistan of violating Afghanistan sovereignty.

UN reports have previously highlighted the risks of escalatory cross-border actions in South Asia. Aggressive airstrikes or missile operations, if unchecked, could increase regional instability, raising concerns among neighboring countries and international observers.

Asif stressed that Pakistan’s response was “fully justified and lawful” under international assessments, highlighting Islamabad’s legitimate security concerns and its efforts to protect civilians from cross-border terrorism.

Fazl Rehman reiterated that indiscriminate military action risks destabilizing the region further. He urged Pakistan to pursue diplomatic solutions and coordinate with Afghanistan authorities to reduce tensions and avoid civilian harm.

Relations between Pakistan and Taliban administration have sharply deteriorated in recent months, largely due to continued TTP activity in Afghanistan territory. Earlier attempts at dialogue following October border clashes have yet to produce concrete outcomes, leaving tensions high along the frontier.

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