KABUL – Weeks after Pakistan denied the United States used its airspace tocarry out a drone strike inside Afghanistan, the Taliban’s acting defenceminister said Pakistan had allowed American drones to use its airspace toaccess Afghanistan.

Addressing a news conference in Kabul on Sunday, acting Minister of DefenceMullah Mohammad Yaqoob told reporters that American drones had beenentering Afghanistan via Pakistan.

“According to our information, the drones are entering Afghanistan throughPakistan. They use Pakistan’s airspace. We ask Pakistan don’t allow use ofyour airspace against us,” he said.

Pakistan has yet to comment on this latest statement. Earlier, Pakistaniauthorities denied involvement in or advanced knowledge of a drone strikethe United States said carried out in Kabul in July. Al-Qaeda leader AymanAl-Zawahiri was eliminated in this drone strike.

Yaqoob’s comments could exacerbate tension between the neighbouring nationsat a time when the Afghan Taliban is mediating talks between Pakistan and aPakistani Taliban militant group called the TTP.

Afghanistan also relies heavily on trade with Pakistan as the countryexperiences an economic crisis.

The Taliban said it is investigating the July air strike and that it hasnot found the Al-Qaeda leader’s body.