By Khalid Ahrar
A few days ago, the Pakistani military regime carried out unilateral aerial bombardments in Afghanistan’s Paktika and Nangarhar provinces, claiming that it had destroyed seven centers of armed opposition groups and killed eighty militants. However, this claim was false and unfounded. In reality, civilians and public facilities were the ones targeted.
When the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan(IEA), exercising its legitimate right to defend its country and people, launched retaliatory strikes against the posts, checkpoints, and centers of the Pakistani military regime along the so-called Durand Line, taking revenge for its people, the generals of a hired army announced an operation under the name “Ghadab lil-Haq.”
Yesterday, during a joint press conference held by the spokesperson’s office of the IEA and the Ministry of National Defense, the Deputy Spokesperson of the IEA, Mawlawi Hamdullah Fitrat, stated that today marks the sixth consecutive day of Pakistani military attacks. According to him, the Pakistani army targeted civilian homes, mosques, religious schools, public facilities, and three temporary settlements for returning refugees in Kabul, Laghman, Nangarhar, Kunar, Khost, Paktika, and Kandahar provinces. The camps included Anzargai Camp in Kandahar, Omari Camp in Torkham, and camps in Kunar.
As a result of the aerial bombardments and mortar fire in Nangarhar, Kunar, Paktika, Khost, Paktia, and Kandahar provinces, 110 civilians have so far been killed, more than 65 of them women and children. In addition, 123 others have been wounded, the overwhelming majority of whom are also women and children.
These attacks have also caused extensive financial damage to ordinary civilians. A total of 37 homes were completely destroyed, while 316 houses were partially damaged. 12 shops and 19 mosques were partially destroyed, and one clinic and one religious school were also damaged.
As a result of the Pakistani military’s intense bombardments and mortar shelling, nearly 8,400 families have been displaced.
The question is this: what kind of counterterrorism operation is it in which the alleged militants survive like cinematic heroes, while dozens of civilians lose their lives? Has any commander or fighter of the TTP been killed so far? If the occupying army claims such victories, it should present their names or images to the media. It is evident that not a single militant has been eliminated.
Noor Wali Mehsud remains alive and unharmed. He continues to issue statements and release videos from the tribal areas, declaring that attacks on Pakistan will intensify. Likewise, fighters of the ISIS are also present within Pakistan’s own borders. Yet the project-driven and obstinate generals persist in repeating the same narrative, claiming that both ISIS and the TTP are based in Afghanistan and are planning their operations from there.
If the leaders of the TTP or ISIS are indeed in Afghanistan, then why are they not seen during the ongoing operations? If they are not visible, then why are civilian areas in the border provinces being bombed? This resembles saying: I could not find the snake, so I will burn down the neighbor’s house in the hope that it comes out.
And if you have killed them, as you claim, then why have the TTP attacks not decreased? On the contrary, they grow bloodier and more frequent with each passing day. It is evident that the “Ghadab lil-Haq” operations were not aimed at suppressing the TTP or any other group, but rather at targeting Afghan territory and sovereignty, to prevent a newly established and strong Islamic government in Afghanistan from taking root and to stop it from becoming an example for other freedom-seeking movements in the region. The old saying applies perfectly here: “I am the victim, yet I am being blamed.”
