Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of “violating Kabul’s sovereign territory”

The Afghan Taliban government accused Pakistan of violating Kabul’s “sovereign territory”, calling it an “unprecedented violent and provocative act.”

This claim comes after two powerful explosions were heard in the city late on Thursday.

The Taliban Defense Ministry said in a statement on Friday that Pakistan also bombed a civilian market in the border province of Batika in southeastern Afghanistan. Local residents told the BBC’s Afghan Service that a number of shops were destroyed.

Pakistan did not confirm or deny that it launched an attack inside Afghanistan.

However, during a press conference in Peshawar on Friday, a senior general claimed that Afghanistan is being used as an “operating base for terrorism against Pakistan.”

“To protect the lives and property of Pakistanis, measures will be taken,” General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry added.

Pakistan has long accused the Afghan Taliban of allowing the Pakistani Taliban, also known as TTP, to operate from its territory. The Taliban government has always denied this.

Rumors had spread that the bombings in Kabul were part of an attack targeting Pakistani Taliban leader Noor Wali Mehsud.

In response, the Pakistani Taliban released an unverified audio message from Mehsud saying he was still alive.

What exactly happened is unclear. The BBC’s Afghan correspondent saw no signs of an explosion at the suspected site of the bombings on Friday, but reported a heavy Taliban presence and mobile checkpoints.

The Taliban Ministry of Defense warned in its statement that if the situation worsens, “the consequences will be attributed to the Pakistani army.”

But the Taliban Foreign Minister – who is currently in the Indian capital, Delhi – said that they want to maintain good relations with Pakistan.

“Pakistan must not repeat this mistake,” Amir Khan Muttaqi told a select group of 16 journalists from Indian media. He added: “Our issues can be resolved through negotiation, not through war.”