KABUL (Al Jazeera) – The Taliban’s acting defence minister has said Pakistan allowed American drones to use its airspace to access Afghanistan, a charge Pakistan has recently denied following a U.S. air strike in Kabul.
Acting Minister of Defence Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob told reporters at a news conference in Kabul on Sunday that American drones have been entering Afghanistan via Pakistan.
“According to our information the drones are entering through Pakistan to Afghanistan, they use Pakistan’s airspace. We ask Pakistan, don’t use your airspace against us,” he said.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Pakistani authorities have denied involvement in or advanced knowledge of a drone strike the United States said it carried out in Kabul in July that killed Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri.
Intelligence had located al-Zawahiri’s family in Kabul earlier this year.
Earlier, U.S. officials speaking on the condition of anonymity told reporters that the CIA carried out a drone attack in Kabul using two missiles.
Yaqoob’s comments could exacerbate tension between the neighboring nations at a time when the Taliban are mediating talks between the Pakistan government and the Pakistan Taliban, known by the acronym TTP.
Afghanistan also relies heavily on trade with Pakistan as the country experiences an economic crisis.
Meanwhile, the Taliban are investigating the airstrike and have so far been unable to find the body of the Al-Qaeda leader.