Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Sunday, October 12, reiterated Afghanistan’s preference for a peaceful resolution to its ongoing conflict with Pakistan, but cautioned that alternative measures could be considered if diplomatic efforts fail.
Speaking at a media briefing at the Afghan Embassy, Muttaqi’s remarks came amid rising tensions between the two neighbors following Pakistan’s air strikes in Kabul on Thursday and recent border clashes.
“The situation is under control now. We want a peaceful resolution of the situation, but if the peace efforts don’t succeed, we have other options,” Muttaqi said.
He emphasised that Afghanistan maintains “good relations with the people of Pakistan and the government,” but noted that “some elements in that country are trying to create problems.”
Afghanistan and Pakistan clashed along their shared border over the weekend, with both sides reporting casualties and closing key crossings. The escalation comes amid long-standing tensions over militant groups operating across the frontier.
Afghan authorities said on Sunday, October 12, that their forces killed 58 Pakistani soldiers, wounded 30 others, and captured 25 army posts in overnight operations.Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said these operations were in retaliation for repeated Pakistani violations of Afghan territory and airspace, adding that “the situation on all official borders and de facto lines of Afghanistan is under complete control, and illegal activities have been largely prevented,” the Associated Press (AP) reported.
The Taliban Defence Ministry described the operations as “retaliatory and successful” and warned that Afghan forces are prepared to respond to any future incursions.
According to Reuters, Pakistan confirmed that its troops returned fire after Afghan forces opened fire late Saturday. Pakistani security officials said several Afghan border posts were destroyed during the response, though there was no immediate comment from Kabul on the extent of damage or casualties.
Following the exchanges, Pakistan closed its two main border crossings with Afghanistan at Torkham and Chaman, as well as at least three smaller points at Kharlachi, Angoor Adda, and Ghulam Khan. Intermittent gunfire continued on Sunday in parts of the Kurram area, local officials and residents told Reuters.
The clashes follow Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul earlier this week targeting the leader of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a banned militant group operating against Islamabad. Pakistan accuses the Afghan Taliban of harbouring TTP members, a charge Kabul denies, according to AP.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the Afghan assault, stating that the army “destroyed several of their posts, forcing them to retreat.” Regional powers also expressed concern: Qatar urged both sides to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy, while Saudi Arabia called for restraint and dialogue to maintain regional stability, the AP reported.
The two countries share a 2,611-kilometre (1,622-mile) border, known as the Durand Line, which Afghanistan has never formally recognised, according to media reports.
