‘Won’t allow Afghanistan to…’: Taliban warns Pakistan of ‘severe consequences’ amid recent escalation, says THIS about ties with India…
Pakistan-Taliban war: Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban has warned Pakistan of “severe consequences” amid recent clashes that killed 58 Pakistani soldiers, and stressed that they will not allow their territory to become a battlefield where the rivalry of “other countries ” is played out, in an apparent reference to Islamabad’s allegations that India was fomenting instability in Afghanistan.
Why Taliban warned Pakistan?
Addressing a press briefing in Kabul on Sunday, following clashes with Pakistani forces along the Durand Line, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid asked Pakistan to hand over key ISIS-K terrorists hiding on its soil or expel them, warning that “these actions will have severe and undesirable consequences” if Islamabad fails to act.
“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan earnestly demands that the aforementioned individuals either be handed over to the Islamic Emirate or that the Pakistani government expel them from its territory. By doing so, the Pakistani government would fulfil its responsibilities and honour its commitments,” Mujahid said while accusing Pakistan of turning “a blind eye to the presence of ISIS on its territory.
Mujahid alleged that Pakistan has set up training centres for ISIS-K in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and claimed that these bases were used to plan the recent attacks in Iran and Moscow. The spokesman urged Islamabad to hand over senior ISIS-K figures, naming Shahab al-Muhajir and several associates, TOLO News reported.
What Taliban said about India-Afghanistan relations?
The Taliban spokesman also responded to Pakistan’s allegations regarding India-Afghanistan relations, stating that Kabul’s ties with New Delhi stem from their own needs, not because of conflict with others.
He stressed that the Taliban will not allow Afghanistan to be used as a “battlefield” for others’ rivalry as he junked Islamabad’s accusations that India was spreading “instability” in the region.
Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is currently in India on a week-long visit to boost bilateral ties with New Delhi.
Pakistan-Taliban war
Meanwhile, talking about the recent clashes with Pakistan, Mujahid said Afghan forces carried out retaliatory operations late Saturday against Pakistani positions along the disputed Durand Line after Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan territory, adding that 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 30 wounded during the operation, while nine Afghan soldiers were “martyred” and 16 wounded.
According to Mujahid, Afghan forces destroyed 20 20 Pakistani security outposts and temporarily seized several weapons, adding that the operation was halted at midnight following requests from Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Mujahid revealed that Kabul rejected a Pakistani request to send a delegation in the wake of the airstrikes, and stressed that Afghanistan has the right to defend its land and airspace and would not leave any aggression unanswered.
Earlier, Afghanistan’s Defence Ministry said on X that the operation “concluded around midnight” and described it as a response to repeated violations of Afghanistan’s airspace and territory.
Saudi Arabia calls for restraint
Following the border clashes, Saudi Arabia issued an official statement, urging both countries to seek peace, calling for “self-restraint” to prevent further escalation.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is following with concern the tensions and clashes taking place in the border areas between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the State of Afghanistan. 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 Riyadh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said in a statement.
(With ANI inputs)
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