Afghan Air Force Aborts Anti-Taliban Attack by A29 Aircraft Following Pakistan Warning

An attack operation against Taliban targets by three Afghan Air Force (AAF) A29 aircraft in Spin Boldak, Kandahar was aborted Thursday after “receiving warning” from the Pakistani military.

Afghan publication TOLO News (https://tolonews.com/index.php/afghanistan-173549) reported that it had seen a ‘conversation copy’ sent to its offices by government sources which shows that the AAF was warned that they are getting “close to the border (with Pakistan).” Besides, an Afghan military official claim that they were warned not to get closer than 18 kilometers to the international border point in Chaman and Spin Boldak.

A military analyst explained to TOLO News (referring to the Pakistani warning) that military aircraft should not get closer than 10 nautical miles (18.5 kilometers) to another country’s border when conducting an operation, based on international laws.

Afghan First Vice President Amrullah Saleh tweeted on Thursday that “Pakistan air force has issued an official warning to the Afghan Army and Air Force that any move to dislodge the Taliban from Spin Boldak area will be faced and repelled by the Pakistan Air Force.”

He said that “Pakistan air force is now providing close air support to Taliban in certain areas.”

But Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement said referring to the Afghan warning that it took "necessary measures within its territory to safeguard our own troops and population."

“The Afghan side conveyed to Pakistan its intention of carrying out air operation inside its territory opposite Chaman Sector of Pakistan. Pakistan responded positively to the Afghan Government’s right to act in its territory,” the ministry said.

“We acknowledge Afghan Government’s right to undertake actions on its sovereign territory,” the statement said. “However, as alleged by the Afghan Vice President, Pakistan Air Force never communicated anything to the Afghan Air Force.

Taliban fighters had claimed earlier this week that that they had seized control of the Spin Boldak crossing area between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Videos posted on social media showed the Taliban's white flag flying in place of the Afghanistan’s national flag above the Friendship Gate (Pak-Afghan border).