Indian Opposition Slams Modi After Taliban Bars Female Journalists In New Delhi

According to NDTV, female journalists from several major Indian outlets, including India Today and Times Now, arrived at the Afghan embassy to cover the event but were denied entry by embassy security. The guards reportedly told them there was an order prohibiting women from entering the premises, despite the journalists having official invitations and adhering to Islamic dress codes.

Efforts by reporters to speak with embassy officials or Taliban representatives were unsuccessful, as guards kept the gates closed and refused further explanation.

The incident has sparked condemnation across Indian media circles. Prominent journalists and commentators have urged the Indian government to respond, saying that such behaviour by a foreign mission on Indian soil undermines the country’s democratic values and press freedom.

A senior journalist from CNN-News18 described the government’s silence over the incident as “deeply concerning,” while analysts in New Delhi told NDTV that the episode reflects the Taliban’s broader policy of excluding women, a stance that appears to have extended into their diplomatic practices abroad.

In a statement released on Friday, the ministry said Pakistani aircraft bombed a civilian marketplace in Paktika province and also breached Kabul’s airspace. It warned that Afghanistan reserves the legitimate right to defend its territory.

“We strongly condemn the violation of Afghanistan’s airspace and consider defending it our legitimate right,” the ministry said.

The Taliban’s Defence Ministry further cautioned that any escalation of tensions following Pakistan’s actions would be the responsibility of the Pakistani military.

Islamabad has not yet commented on the Taliban’s accusations. The incident marks the latest flashpoint in the increasingly strained relations between the two neighbours, who have traded blame over cross-border militancy and airspace violations in recent months.

Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar, Chaudhry said the army had seized a number of American-made weapons during recent operations against militants. He noted that military assessments indicate more than US$7 billion worth of weapons were abandoned in Afghanistan, many of which are now being used by the TTP.

“Militants are using American weapons, and our forces have captured them during operations,” he said.
Chaudhry added that more than 3,000 militant attacks have occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province over the past three months, criticising the provincial governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan for failing to maintain security.

Referring to Afghanistan, he warned that “space for those supporting terrorists is shrinking” and urged that sponsors and facilitators of terrorism “end their policies and hand over the terrorists to Pakistan.”

Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, he claimed that militant groups operating in Afghanistan enjoy access to safe havens and advanced weaponry.

Chaudhry said that militant attacks inside Pakistan have sharply increased in recent years, adding that between 2024 and 2025 alone, 161 Afghan nationals involved in terrorist incidents were killed by Pakistani security forces.

He further stated that 135 foreign fighters were killed while attempting to cross into Pakistan from Afghanistan, and that around 30 suicide bombers who carried out attacks in the past two years were Afghan nationals.

“These figures clearly demonstrate how India is using Afghan soil as an operational base for terrorist activities against Pakistan,” Chaudhry said.

The Taliban authorities in Kabul and Indian officials have yet to respond to the allegations.

Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, India’s presence in Kabul has been limited to a “technical mission.” Muttaqi’s visit marks the first official trip to India by a senior Taliban official.

Jaishankar described the visit as “an important step in advancing our ties and reaffirming the enduring friendship between India and Afghanistan.” He said both sides share a commitment to regional growth and prosperity but face challenges from cross-border terrorism.

“We must coordinate our efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” Jaishankar said, adding that India appreciated the Taliban’s “sensitivity towards India’s security concerns,” referencing his earlier phone call with Muttaqi following the Pahalgam attack in April.

Pledge of Further Assistance

Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s long-term commitment to Afghanistan’s development, announcing six new projects to be implemented after further discussions. These include the donation of 20 ambulances to Afghan hospitals, five of which were personally handed over to Muttaqi during his visit, and the delivery of a food aid shipment to Afghanistan on Friday.

He also announced that India will provide MRI and CT scan equipment to Afghan hospitals and expressed readiness to cooperate with the Taliban on water management initiatives.

Jaishankar further praised the growing talent in Afghan cricket and said India would expand its support for Afghanistan’s national cricket team.