Pakistani Army Commander Asim Munir (right) and President Ali Zardari carry the coffin of an officer killed in an attack on a security base in North Waziristan (French)
The Taliban movement in Afghanistan announced on Monday that Pakistan launched two air strikes inside Afghan territory, killing 8 women and children, considering this a violation of the country's sovereignty.
Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid explained that the two strikes took place in the provinces of Paktika and Khost on the Pakistani border, adding that Pakistani aircraft carried out the air strikes that led to the killing of 8 women and children.
Mujahid stated, "The Islamic Emirate (the Taliban government) strongly condemns the attacks and describes them as dangerous acts and a violation of Afghan territory. Pakistan should not blame Afghanistan for its problems and failure to control incidents of violence."
He considered that such actions "could lead to serious consequences that would not be under Pakistan's control."
Paktika Province is located near the South Waziristan region of Pakistan, while Khost is located near North Waziristan.
The attacks, announced by the Taliban today, come a day after new Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari vowed to avenge the killing of 7 Pakistani soldiers, including two officers, in an armed attack on a security forces site in North Waziristan.
Zardari said during the funeral prayer for the two officers, "The blood of the martyrs will not be in vain, and the nation will avenge its martyrs. Pakistan will not hesitate to respond if it is attacked by anyone on the border or within its territory."
As for the former Foreign Minister of Pakistan's caretaker government, Jalil Abbas Gilani, he said during the funeral of those killed in the North Waziristan attack, "The army is fighting the evil forces of terrorism coming from Afghanistan," indicating that the "cowardly terrorist attack" will be avenged.
Source: Agencies