Taliban asserted on Monday that they seized a Pakistani border post in Eastern Afghanistan following a clash with Pakistani soldiers, as per local media. The skirmish resulted in casualties on the Pakistani side, with local officials confirming the exchange of fire between the Taliban and Pakistani forces in a border region, reported Amu TV referencing Taliban-run national broadcaster RTA.
The incident occurs amidst escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with cross-border confrontations entering their sixth week. The conflict has seen drone strikes, air raids, and artillery exchanges between the two nations. Talks are ongoing in China between Pakistan and Afghanistan to ease tensions, with delegations from the Taliban and Pakistan engaging in dialogue in China’s Urumqi since the previous week.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, highlighted the delegation’s participation in the talks with a constructive approach, emphasizing the Taliban’s preference for resolving disputes through dialogue. However, he underscored Afghanistan’s commitment to defending its territorial integrity. Recent clashes have led to local residents fleeing their homes in the Tani district of Afghanistan’s Khost, with casualties reported in the region, although no confirmed deaths or injuries have been verified. Additionally, clashes have been reported in the Gurbuz district of Khost.
During a ‘Pakistan-Afghanistan Peace Jirga’ held in Peshawar on March 31, participants urged both governments to halt border clashes and seek resolution through dialogue. Political, religious leaders, business community representatives, and media attendees emphasized the need for diplomatic solutions, citing shared religious, cultural heritage, and social values between the two nations. The jirga participants issued a joint declaration urging an immediate ceasefire to de-escalate tensions.
