Saudi Arabia urges 'self restraint' amid escalating Pakistan-Afghanistan border clashes

Saudi Arabia has expressed concern over the recent violent clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, calling on both nations to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged dialogue and wise measures to reduce tensions and maintain regional security and stability, while reaffirming the Kingdom’s support for efforts to promote peace and prosperity for the peoples of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

In a statement, the Saudi Ministry said, “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 Ministry further affirmed Riyadh’s “support for all regional and international efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability” and its commitment to ensuring “security in a way that achieves stability and prosperity for the brotherly Pakistani and Afghan peoples.”

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Clashes and regional response

The fighting reportedly began late Saturday night when Taliban forces allegedly fired at several Pakistani border posts. In what officials described as a “prompt and intense response,” Pakistani troops targeted several Afghan positions, inflicting significant damage on border posts and militant formations, according to Dawn.

Exchange of fire occurred across key border points, including Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, and Chitral in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, as well as Baramcha in Balochistan, The Express Tribune reported. Security sources claimed the Taliban fire was intended to facilitate the illegal entry of Khwarij—the state-designated term for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)—into Pakistani territory. Reports indicated multiple Afghan soldiers and militants were killed in the retaliatory strikes.

The Taliban stated that the clashes followed Pakistan’s alleged air strikes on Kabul earlier in the week. “In retaliation for the air strikes by Pakistani forces,” the Taliban said, “border forces in the east are engaged in heavy clashes against Pakistani posts.” Officials from Kunar, Nangarhar, Paktika, Khost, and Helmand provinces confirmed the border fighting.

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Islamabad did not acknowledge responsibility for the air strikes but called on Kabul to stop harbouring TTP militants on Afghan soil.

Former US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad described Pakistan’s reported air strikes in Kabul as a “huge escalation,” urging both nations to engage in dialogue rather than military confrontation.

Meanwhile, Afghan spokesperson Zabihullah confirmed that an explosion had been heard in Kabul late Thursday, though no casualties or damage were reported, and investigations remain ongoing.

On October 10, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told the National Assembly that “collateral damage” cannot be ruled out if Pakistani forces come under attack, adding, “enough is enough.”

The escalation coincides with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s week-long visit to India—the first high-level visit from Kabul since the Taliban assumed power in August 2021.