Afghan unity cited as Pakistan’s cross‑border bombing draws criticism

The Thursday airstrikes by Pakistan on ten locations within Afghan territory have sparked renewed diplomatic tension in the region. While Islamabad framed the attacks as a defensive response to drone incursions, Afghan officials highlighted civilian casualties from earlier strikes, noting three deaths and four injuries. Former President Hamid Karzai used his X post to stress that Afghan solidarity is growing against any external aggression. He appealed for Pakistan to respect Afghanistan’s sovereignty and to adopt a constructive, neighbourly stance. The Pakistani ministry reiterated that the operations were confined to verified military targets linked to drone activities and were carried out under the country’s right to self‑defence.