Taliban condemns Pahalgam massacre, calls attack a blow to regional security

NEW DELHI: Afghanistan's Taliban government on Thursday condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 28 civilians were killed, stating that such incidents undermine regional security and stability.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Abdul Qahar Balkhi , the spokesman for the Taliban-run Afghan ministry of foreign affairs, expressed condolences to the families of the victims.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan categorically condemns the recent attack on tourists in the Pahalgam region, and expresses condolences to the bereaved families,” Balkhi said.

This comes at a time of strained relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which have worsened since the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. However, Kabul has continued to maintain that India is an "important" regional power.

In January of this year, a meeting took place between Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, and Indian foreign secretary, Vikram Misri, in Dubai. During this meeting, the Afghan delegation assured India that Afghanistan posed no threat to any nation.