India condemns Pakistan airstrikes in Afghanistan after civilian deaths
Pakistan said the strikes targeted alleged militant hideouts, which Islamabad has blamed for a recent wave of suicide bombings inside the country
India on Sunday strongly condemned Pakistan's overnight airstrikes in Afghanistan that reportedly killed civilians, including women and children, during the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement responding to media queries, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said New Delhi "strongly condemns Pakistan's airstrikes on Afghan territory that have resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children, during the holy month of Ramadan."
Pakistan said the strikes targeted alleged militant hideouts, which Islamabad has blamed for a recent wave of suicide bombings inside the country.
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MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the operation was "another attempt by Pakistan to externalise its internal failures."
"India reiterates its support for Afghanistan's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence," he added.
Afghanistan's Defence Ministry said on Sunday that "dozens of innocent civilians, including women and children, were martyred and wounded" when airstrikes hit a school and residential homes in the eastern provinces of Nangarhar and Paktika.
