Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Sunday asserted that while Afghanistan prefers to resolve recent border clashes with Pakistan through dialogue, it possesses “other means” should peaceful efforts fail. Muttaqi, the first senior Taliban official to visit India, canceled a planned trip to the Taj Mahal and returned to New Delhi to address a news conference following a significant escalation in fighting along the Durand Line.
The clashes, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of dozens of Afghan and Pakistani troops just hours before the press conference, revolve around the disputed border, a British-mandated line established in 1893 that is not recognized by Afghanistan.
Zero Tension Policy vs. Protecting Sovereignty
Muttaqi emphasized that the overall border situation is now under control but stressed that Afghanistan will not tolerate any violation of its sovereignty.
“The policy of Islamic Emirate is to resolve all problems through discussions and understanding. We want to have zero tension and if they [Pakistan] don’t want that, then Afghanistan has other means,” Muttaqi stated.
He suggested that while many elements within the Pakistani populace, political sphere, and government favor good relations with Afghanistan, there are “specific elements that are trying to spoil the situation.”
Defending Against External Interference
The border tensions flared up after Pakistan conducted an air strike in Kabul on Thursday, which was reportedly aimed at Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander Noor Wali Mehsud, though he survived. The Taliban denounced the strike as a violation of Afghanistan’s “sovereign territory,” leading to retaliatory clashes along the border.
Afghan officials claimed their forces killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in the border operations, although Pakistan reported the figure at 23. Conversely, Pakistan claimed its forces killed 200 Taliban cadres and captured 19 Afghan border posts.
Muttaqi firmly stated that Afghanistan will secure its territory and airspace at any cost. He added that “immediate responses” were given to the violations, and “retaliatory operations” were conducted during the night in which they “achieved our objectives.”
He also noted that friendly countries, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia, contacted Kabul and requested a halt to the fighting. Muttaqi confirmed, “From our side, we have stopped the fighting and the situation is under control. We want good relations. Our doors for talks are open.”
Dismissing TTP Allegations
Muttaqi vehemently dismissed Pakistan’s allegations that Afghanistan is harboring the TTP. He questioned how TTP fighters could cross a heavily guarded border and conduct attacks up to 500 km inside Pakistan.
“Pakistan has more forces than us, they are ahead in technology, they have strong intelligence. Why can’t they themselves control this area?” he asked.
The Foreign Minister stressed that the Afghan people are completely united in the face of “external interference.” Citing the country’s history of successfully resisting external powers, including the Soviet Union and the combined forces of the US and NATO, Muttaqi asserted Afghanistan’s capacity to protect itself.