A Taliban deputy spokesman has declared that the group will "avenge the blood of the people" and deliver a "calculated response" to Pakistan's recent deadly airstrikes in Kunar and Helmand provinces.
In an interview with National Television on Thursday, Hamdullah Fitrat said the Pakistani army had bombed residential areas in the Shaltan district of Kunar and the Garmsir district of Helmand. He added that in addition to causing human casualties, the attacks completely destroyed three homes.
The deputy spokesman described the strikes as a "war crime," "clear aggression against Afghan soil," and a violation of international principles, emphasizing that there would be a firm response.
"The Islamic Emirate emphasizes once again that in response to such aggressions, we will avenge the blood of our people and will give a calculated response to Pakistan," Fitrat stated.
He also rejected Pakistan's claim that Afghan territory is being used for attacks against it. Instead, Fitrat alleged that Pakistan is carrying out such actions to fulfill "security commitments and agreements with some countries," though he did not provide further details on this claim.
This strong rhetoric comes amid reports of internal debate within the Taliban leadership over how to react. Sources including Afghanistan International have reported that the Taliban's supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, has opposed a direct military retaliation to Pakistan's strikes. The Taliban have not yet officially commented on these reports of potential internal disagreement.
Source: National Television, Afghanistan International
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