Fighting Enters Sixth Day; Taliban Considers Closing Pakistani Embassy in Kabul
The deputy spokesperson of the Taliban administration has stated that war with what he described as the “military regime of Pakistan” was not Afghanistan’s first choice, but Afghan forces are defending the country. Hamdullah Fetrat confirmed on Tuesday during a press conference in Kabul that clashes continue and the decision to close Pakistan’s embassy in Kabul has not yet been finalized, although the option remains on the table.
Fetrat also said that Russia, the United Kingdom, and the European Union have contacted Taliban officials to mediate between Kabul and Islamabad. According to him, Pakistani airstrikes have targeted the provinces of Paktia, Paktika, Khost, Kabul, Nangarhar, Kunar, and Kandahar.
He claimed that these attacks have resulted in the deaths of 110 civilians and injuries to 123 others, most of whom were women and children. He added that more than 350 homes have been completely or partially destroyed and around 8,400 families have been displaced. Fetrat urged the United Nations and human rights organizations to take action to prevent civilians in Afghanistan from being targeted.
At the same press conference, Enayatullah Khwarazmi, spokesperson for the Taliban’s Ministry of Defense, announced that in a retaliatory operation named “Red Al-Zulm” approximately 150 Pakistani soldiers have been killed and more than 200 wounded. He added that during six days of fighting, 35 Pakistani security checkpoints have been destroyed.
Regarding Taliban forces’ casualties, Khwarazmi stated that 28 soldiers were killed and 42 others injured. He emphasized that forces under the Taliban administration are capable of continuing the war unless the Pakistani side halts military operations.
The continuation of clashes and the rise in civilian casualties come amid growing concerns over the worsening humanitarian crisis in border areas; an issue deemed to require transparency, accountability, and serious efforts to prevent further harm to civilians.
