Pakistan, Afghanistan forces engage in intense border clashes; Saudi, Qatar call for ‘restraint’

Intense clashes broke out between the Pakistan Army and Afghan forces along the border between the two countries in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The exchange of fire began after Afghan Taliban forces allegedly opened fire at several Pakistani border posts on Saturday night, reports said.

 

“Firing by Afghan forces on the civilian population is a blatant violation of international laws. Pakistan’s brave forces have given a prompt and effective response that no provocation will be tolerated,” Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said in a post on X.

 

“Pakistan’s forces are alert, and Afghanistan is being answered with stones for bricks. The people of Pakistan stand with the brave armed forces like a lead wall,” he said.

 

Quoting Pakistani security officials, the Dawn newspaper reported that significant damage has been inflicted on multiple Afghan posts and militant formations. Pakistan Army reportedly used artillery, tanks, light and heavy weapons in their action.

 

The exchange of fire took place in several areas, including Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, Chitral in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Baramcha in Balochistan.

 

Pakistan security sources allege that the Afghan forces had resorted to firing to facilitate the illegal entry of Khwarij—the state-designated term for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)—into Pakistani territory.

 

"The counteroffensive effectively targeted and destroyed multiple Afghan posts at border. Dozens of Afghan soldiers and Khwarij were killed in retaliatory fire," the Express Tribune quoted an official as saying.

 

Meanwhile, the Afghan Taliban forces maintained that the firing was in retaliation to the air strikes allegedly carried out by Pakistani forces in Kabul earlier this week. Islamabad had not confirmed or denied the airstrikes. 

 

The Taliban forces claimed to have captured three Pakistani border posts, according to local authorities in the southern province of Helmand.

 

Enayatullah Khowarazmi, spokesperson for Afghanistan's Ministry of Defence, said the attack concluded at midnight local time.

 

"If the opposing side again violates Afghanistan's airspace, our armed forces are prepared to defend their airspace and will deliver a strong response," he said.

 

Saudi, Qatar call for self-restraint

 

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has issued a statement, urging both Pakistan and Afghanistan to keep "self-restraint" to avoid further escalation. 

 

“The Kingdom calls for self-restraint, avoiding escalation, and embracing dialogue and wisdom, which will contribute to reducing tension and maintaining the security and stability of the region," the statement said.

 

"The Kingdom affirms its support for all regional and international efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability, and its constant keenness to ensure the establishment of security in a way that achieves stability and prosperity for the brotherly Pakistani and Afghan peoples," it added.

 

Qatar also issued a similar statement, urging both sides to prioritise dialogue, diplomacy and restraint, and to work toward "containing differences in a manner that helps reduce tension and avoid escalation, in order to achieve regional security and stability".

 

Notably, the exchange of fire took place as Afghanistan's foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is on an India visit—the first such trip by a senior Taliban official since the group seized power in 2021—and the two sides agreed to upgrade ties.

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