KABUL, AUG 12: Following reports of Pakistani fighter jets over Afghanistan’s Kunar and Nangarhar provinces, the Islamic Emirate said on Sunday that the claims have not yet been confirmed but that it will investigate the matter.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, said that no country including Pakistan has the right to violate Afghanistan’s airspace.
“If such a thing has been heard about Pakistani planes, it has not been confirmed yet,” Mujahid said. “We will investigate this matter and we will seriously prevent it.”
Mujahid also condemned the patrolling of US drones over Afghanistan, saying that it is a violation of international laws and a violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty.
“The patrolling of American drones in Afghan airspace is an act of aggression,” Mujahid said. “We have condemned it and we once again condemn it. We have repeatedly asked the American side that such aggression should end. We are trying to improve the Afghan air force to the level where we can control our airspace.”
Experts also believe that the patrolling of Pakistani and American aircraft in Afghanistan’s airspace is a violation of the airspace of Afghanistan and the Islamic Emirate should not remain silent on this matter.
“Pakistan’s air operations are considered a violation of the airspace above Afghanistan soil. This action of Pakistan is considered against all the international principles and laws. The Taliban (Islamic Emirate) should summon the Pakistani ambassador in Afghanistan as soon as possible and ask him for an explanation about the matter.”
Recently, relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan deteriorated over the issue of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) being based in Afghanistan. This has led to clashes between the border forces of the two countries.
Last year, a number of civilians were killed in Pakistan’s air strike on parts of Khost and Paktia provinces, which drew strong condemnation by the Islamic Emirate. Pakistan, however, claimed that TTP members were targeted in the raid.
