Russia, Iran call for dialogue amid Pakistan-Afghanistan clashes

Russia urges Afghanistan and Pakistan to halt cross-border attacks immediately and resolve their differences through diplomatic means, the RIA news agency reported on Friday, citing the foreign ministry.

Meanwhile, Iran offered to help “facilitate dialogue” to resolve the conflict.

“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.

Operation Ghazab lil-Haq: 133 Afghan Taliban operatives killed, more than 200 injured, says govt

The statements come amid escalating cross-border clashes.

At least 133 Afghan Taliban operatives were killed, and more than 200 were injured after Pakistan’s security forces delivered an “immediate and effective response” to unprovoked cross-border firing on Friday.

In a post on X at around 4am, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said strikes took place in Kabul, Paktia and Kandahar, with 27 posts destroyed and nine seized.

Furthermore, “two corps headquarters, three brigade headquarters, two ammunition depots, one logistics base, three battalion headquarters, two sector headquarters and 80+ tanks, artillery, and APCs (Armoured Personnel Carriers) were destroyed”, he added.

Two Pakistani soldiers were also martyred during the clashes, and three others were wounded in the clashes, the minister had said earlier on X.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif described the conflict as “open war”.

“Our cup of patience has overflowed. Now it is open war between us and you (Afghanistan),” Asif said on Friday.