By Saadet Gokce
ISTANBUL (AA) - The interim administration in Kabul on Saturday claimed that Pakistan carried out late-night airstrikes in Afghanistan’s border province of Paktika, as officials from the two sides were set to hold talks in the Qatari capital Doha.
“Last night, Pakistani military forces once again conducted airstrikes on civilian areas in Paktika, resulting in the martyrdom and injury of a number of civilians,” said Afghan interim administration spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in a statement through the US social media company X.
Pakistan was yet to officially react to claims by Mujahid, who, however, said the Afghan forces have been directed to “refrain from undertaking new military operations at this time.”
At least 17 people died during the strikes on Friday night in the Paktika province, according to the Afghan broadcaster Tolo News. The interim administration has not confirmed the number of casualties in the latest strikes.
Security sources in Islamabad told Anadolu that Pakistani forces struck “Hafiz Gul Bahadur” militant groups inside Paktika on Friday night, hours after militant groups launched at least two attacks inside Pakistan.
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Mujahid also announced that officials from Afghanistan and Pakistan will hold talks in Doha amid border tensions.
“As previously agreed, negotiations with the Pakistani side are scheduled to take place today in Doha,” said the Afghan interim administration spokesman.
He said an Afghan delegation led by interim Defense Minister Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid left for Doha on Saturday to represent Kabul.
There was no immediate confirmation from the Pakistani side about the talks in Doha.
“We reiterate that Afghanistan remains committed to a peaceful resolution and regional stability. However, the ongoing incidents are entirely the result of aggression by the Pakistani side,” Zabihullah said.
Islamabad and Kabul have seen some of the deadliest border clashes since last week, for the first time following the return of the Afghan Taliban to power in 2021.
The two sides agreed to a second ceasefire this week, and the Doha talks are expected to normalize the ties.
Addressing an event on Saturday, Pakistan’s army chief Gen. Asim Munir urged the people of Afghanistan to choose “mutual security over perpetual violence.”
He also urged Kabul to “reign in the proxies who have sanctuaries in Afghanistan and are using Afghan soil to perpetrate heinous attacks inside Pakistan.”
Kabul denies that its soil is used by militants and has reaffirmed its commitment to not allowing cross-border militant operations.