Latest News

Pakistan rejects Afghan allegations of providing ‘air support’ to Taliban

Pakistan has rejected Afghan allegations of providing ‘air support’ to the Taliban!

Afghanistan’s First Vice President Amrullah Saleh on Thursday leveled allegations that Pakistani forces were supporting the Afghan Taliban after they took control of the Spin Boldak border crossing with Pakistan in Kandahar province earlier this week.

Pakistan’s foreign ministry in a statement issued on Friday said that Pakistan’s air force was restricted to protecting the Pakistani air space.

“The Afghan side conveyed to Pakistan its intention of carrying out air operation inside its territory opposite Chaman Sector of Pakistan,” said the statement.

“Pakistan responded positively to the Afghan Government’s right to act in its territory. In spite of very close border operations normally not acceded to by internationally accepted norms/standards/procedures, Pakistan took necessary measures within its territory to safeguard our own troops and population.”

The statement said that Pakistan acknowledged the Afghan government’s “right to undertake actions on its sovereign territory”.

In the statement, the FO also recalled that Pakistan had recently rescued 40 Afghan National Defence Security Forces (ANDSF) personnel, who had fled into the country.

“They were returned to the Afghan government with respect and dignity, with a declared offer to ANDSF to provide all logistical support as requested,” the FO said.

It added that Pakistan remained “committed to peace in Afghanistan and shall continue to endeavour towards this end irrespective of the detractors.”

“It is, however, important that at this critical juncture, all energies are focused on achieving an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement in Afghanistan,” the FO stressed.

Saleh had made the allegations in a tweet on Thursday, saying: “Breaking: Pakistan air force has issued an official warning to the Afghan Army and Air Force that any move to dislodge the Taliban from Spin Boldak area will be faced and repelled by the Pakistan Air Force. Pak air force is now providing close air support to Taliban in certain areas.”

If anyone doubts my tweet on Pak Air Force & Pak Army warning to d Afg side not to retake Spin Boldak I am ready to share evidence through DM. Afghan aircraft as far as 10 kilometers from Spin Boldak R warned 2 back off or face air to air missiles. Afg is too big to be swallowed,” he added in his other tweet.

 

The allegations come after the Afghan Taliban forces on Wednesday took control of the Spin Boldak crossing, also known as Chaman on the Pakistani side of the border.

 

 

 

Saman Siddiqui

I am a freelance journalist, holding a Master’s Degree in Mass Communication and an MS in Peace and Conflict Studies, associated with the electronic media industry since 2006 in various capacities. Here at OyeYeah, I cover a range of genres, from journalism to fiction to fashion, including reviews, and fact findings. 

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button