Pak-Afghan Conflict: Afghan Govt Says Wants 'Dialogue' to Resolve Pakistan Conflict

Pakistan bombs Kabul in 'open war' on Afghanistan's Taliban government

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan bombed major cities in Afghanistan including the capital Kabul on Friday, with Islamabad's defence minister declaring the neighbours at "open war" following months of tit-for-tat clashes.

AFP reporters in Kabul and Kandahar heard blasts and jets overhead until dawn, and the Taliban government said Pakistani surveillance aircraft were flying over Afghanistan on Friday afternoon.

The overnight operation was Pakistan's most widespread bombardment of the Afghan capital and its first air strikes on the southern power base of the Taliban authorities since they returned to power in 2021.

Near the key Torkham border crossing, an AFP journalist heard shelling on Friday morning, and a camp accommodating Afghans who had returned from Pakistan was hit by the fighting overnight.

"Children, women, and old people were running," Gander Khan, a 65-year-old returnee, told AFP in front of rows of tents at the Omari camp.

Pakistan's latest operation came after Afghan forces attacked Pakistani border troops on Thursday night in retaliation for earlier air strikes by Islamabad.

Relations between the neighbours have plunged in recent months, with land border crossings largely shut since deadly fighting in October that killed more than 70 people on both sides.

Both the Afghan and Pakistani militaries said they killed dozens of soldiers in the latest violence.

Islamabad accuses Afghanistan of failing to act against militant groups that carry out attacks in Pakistan, which the Taliban government denies.

Most of the attacks have been claimed by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group that has stepped up assaults in Pakistan since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021.

Pakistan's defence minister Khawaja Asif declared an "all-out confrontation" with the Taliban government, posting on X: "Now it is open war between us and you."

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban government's spokesman, later said in Kandahar it wanted "dialogue" to resolve the conflict.

"We have repeatedly emphasised a peaceful solution, and still want the problem to be resolved through dialogue," Mujahid told a news conference, adding: "Right now, Pakistani planes, reconnaissance aircraft, are flying over Afghanistan's airspace."  — AFP

British FM urges 'de-escalation' in Pakistan-Afghanistan fighting

Britain was "deeply concerned by the significant escalation in tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan", UK Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper said Friday after Islamabad bombed major Afghan cities including the capital Kabul.

"We urge both sides to take immediate steps toward de?escalation, avoid further harm to civilians, and re?engage in mediated dialogue," Britain's top diplomat said on X.

 Afghanistan's government said Friday it wanted "dialogue" to resolve its conflict with neighbouring Pakistan following deadly fighting.

"We have repeatedly emphasised a peaceful solution, and still want the problem to be resolved through dialogue," Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a news conference.

China on Friday called on Pakistan and Afghanistan to work out a ceasefire while expressing concern over the escalation of the conflict between the two countries.China is closely following the developments of the situation in the conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a media briefing here, responding to questions on the current conflict between the two countries.

Pakistan and Afghanistan are close neighbours, and both are neighbouring countries of China. As a neighbour and friend, China is deeply concerned about the escalation of the conflict and deeply saddened by the casualties caused by the conflict, Mao said.

She said China supports combating all forms of terrorism and calls on both sides to exercise calm and restraint, properly resolve their differences and disputes through dialogue and consultation, and realise a ceasefire as soon as possible to avoid more suffering.

The de-escalation serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, and will help uphold peace and stability in the region, she said.

She also said China has been mediating between the two countries through its own channels and stands ready to continue to play a constructive role in de escalating the situation and improving relations between the two countries, Mao said.

In response to a question on whether China is considering evacuating Chinese nationals and companies from Pakistan and Afghanistan or suspending relevant flights due to the fierce cross-border clashes between the two countries, Mao said, "We are closely following the development of the situation and will provide necessary assistance to Chinese nationals in need."

China maintains close ties with Pakistan and Afghanistan through a tripartite mechanism, conducting periodic meetings to iron out differences over Islamabad's repeated allegations against Kabul of hosting Pakistan's militant groups, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Baloch Liberation Army.

The Afghan Taliban firmly reject the allegations of harbouring Pakistan militants and blame the Pakistani army's aggressive actions, including airstrikes on Kabul, for the escalation of the conflict.

China 'deeply concerned' by Afghanistan-Pakistan fighting

Russia calls for immediate end to Afghanistan-Pakistan clashes

Russia has called on Afghanistan and Pakistan to immediately end cross-border attacks and urged both countries to resolve their differences through diplomatic means, the RIA news agency reported, citing the Foreign Ministry.

Clashes near key Afghanistan-Pakistan border crossing: AFP journalists

AFP journalists near the key Torkham border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan heard gunfire and shelling on Friday, as the neighbours engaged in deadly fighting.

Incoming shelling was heard from the Afghan side of the border from around 9:30 am (0500 GMT), before cross-border clashes resumed, while gunfire was heard in the distance.

Iran offers to help 'facilitate dialogue' between Afghanistan, Pakistan: foreign minister

Iran offered to help "facilitate dialogue" to resolve conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan after Islamabad declared "open war" on the Taliban government and carried out air strikes on Kabul following border clashes.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran stands ready to provide any assistance necessary to facilitate dialogue and to enhance understanding and cooperation between the two countries," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X. - AFP

Pakistan says its 'armed forces have given a befitting response' to Afghan Taliban

Afghanistan govt says troops renew border attacks on Pakistan

Afghanistan renewed attacks against Pakistani troops along their shared border on Friday, after Islamabad launched air strikes on key cities Kabul and Kandahar.