Taliban Foreign Minister Muttaqi says facing 'imposed war' with Pakistan
Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi stated that the administration is confronting an "imposed war" with Pakistan amid ongoing clashes between Taliban forces and Pakistani military.
Speaking at an iftar gathering with foreign diplomats at the Taliban Foreign Ministry in Kabul, Muttaqi accused Pakistan of violating a ceasefire agreed upon last year in Doha. "We are facing an imposed war. Our defensive actions have always been cautious and focused on specific targets. Our goal is centers from which actions are taken against Afghanistan," he said. He criticized Pakistan for citing the presence of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to justify military operations, noting it is not a new issue.
The clashes entered their 12th day on Monday, heightening concerns over border tensions. Taliban spokesman Wahidullah Mohammadi, from the Khalid bin Walid Corps 201, said Taliban forces destroyed a Pakistani border post in Goshta district, Nangarhar province, eastern Afghanistan, using missiles. Pakistani officials have not commented. Nangarhar residents reported increased local worries due to the fighting.
The Taliban Ministry of Defense said a Pakistani reconnaissance drone was shot down after entering Afghan airspace during recent clashes. Sources told Amu TV that Taliban handed over bodies of two Pakistani soldiers killed in border fighting to Pakistan, which reciprocated with bodies of some Taliban fighters, though details were limited.
Pakistan's Information Minister Ataullah Tarar claimed 583 Taliban fighters killed, 795 wounded and 242 posts destroyed so far. Taliban countered that 327 Pakistani troops have been killed.
Muttaqi also addressed regional tensions following reported U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran, condemning sovereignty violations and calling for dialogue and diplomacy.
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