Afghanistan seeks dialogue with Pakistan to resolve border conflict

2026-02-27 - 23:12

​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Afghan government called Friday for resolving tensions with Pakistan through "dialogue and peace" even as cross-border clashes continued and both sides reported mounting casualties. Government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told a news conference in Kandahar that Kabul remains committed to a peaceful solution despite Pakistan's military actions. Casualty Claims and Ongoing Operations Mujahid stated that Pakistani aircraft were "still flying over Afghanistan" hours after Islamabad launched airstrikes on Kabul, Kandahar, and other cities. He reported 13 Afghan troops killed and 22 injured in the clashes, while claiming 55 Pakistani soldiers had been killed with 19 posts destroyed. "We have 23 dead bodies of Pakistani soldiers, in addition to some captured, whose number we will announce later," he claimed. The spokesman rejected Islamabad's accusations that the Pakistani Taliban operate from Afghan soil, reiterating Kabul's commitment not to allow any group to use its territory against other countries. "Pakistan's internal war is entirely its internal matter and not a new issue," he said. Diplomatic Outreach According to Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry, top diplomat Amir Khan Muttaqi held separate calls with Qatari Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan to discuss the conflict. The conversations focused on strengthening an atmosphere of tolerance and pursuing diplomatic solutions to reduce tensions. The outreach builds on Qatar's previous mediation efforts between the neighbors. Escalating Conflict The latest violence erupted Thursday night when Afghanistan launched border attacks against Pakistan in retaliation for Sunday's Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan that left many dead. Pakistan responded with heavy fire and fresh airstrikes early Friday. The death toll on both sides has climbed to 48, including 12 Pakistani soldiers and one civilian, while Kabul reports 13 soldiers and 22 civilians killed. Mujahid emphasized that Afghanistan's foreign policy is "based on mutual respect" and that it does not wish to "pursue a path of harm and enmity against anyone," even as hostilities continue.