Pakistan Protests Afghan Airspace Violations Amid Nuristan Dispute

The Foreign Office has confirmed that the protest lodged with the Afghan ambassador also addressed recent violations of Pakistan's airspace by Afghan forces. A spokesperson stated that a formal demarche was issued over the incursions, in addition to the rejection of claims linking Pakistan to violence in Nuristan province.

In a detailed statement, Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting elaborated on its rejection of the allegations, stating that the Afghan Taliban regime had failed to provide any credible evidence to support its claims. The ministry noted that no verifiable proof, such as identification documents, communication records, or forensic evidence, was presented by Kabul.

Pakistan has summoned the Afghan ambassador in Islamabad, Sardar Shakib, to lodge a formal protest over the recent allegations made by the Taliban regime regarding violence in Nuristan province.

According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, a protest note, or demarche, was handed to the ambassador. The demarche addressed the Nuristan claims as well as other recent issues, including cross-border terrorism, border incursions, and violations of Pakistan's airspace by Afghanistan.

The spokesperson also confirmed that a separate demarche was issued to the Afghan government regarding a drone incident that occurred on September 23.

The Afghan Taliban’s Ministry of Defence has provided more details on its allegations, claiming that several groups affiliated with Daesh crossed into the Kamdesh district of Nuristan with Pakistani support. The ministry alleged that its forces killed 28 of the infiltrators and captured another 32.

In its response, Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting specifically denied recruiting or training former Afghan security personnel to operate in Afghanistan. Islamabad also elaborated on its dismissal of a video presented as evidence, stating the footage showed only "a few unarmed individuals who were neither properly dressed nor equipped."

In a further statement, Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting suggested the allegations were an attempt by the Taliban regime to divert attention from its own internal challenges, including dissent and the oppression of women and minorities. The ministry noted that United Nations reports have consistently highlighted the presence and activities of terrorist groups on Afghan soil, which pose a threat to Pakistan and regional security. Islamabad reiterated its call for the Taliban to take verifiable action against these groups and fulfill its commitment not to allow Afghan territory to be used for terrorism against any other country.

The Afghan Taliban's Ministry of Defence alleged that Daesh-affiliated groups and other elements, backed by Pakistani militias, had crossed the Durand Line into the Kamdesh district of Nuristan. According to the Taliban, its security forces killed 28 of the alleged infiltrators and arrested another 32.

In its response, Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting stated that the Afghan Taliban had failed to provide any credible evidence to support the allegations, noting that no identities, documents, communications, forensic material, or independent verification had been presented.