Taliban Cautions India and Pakistan Against Escalation Amid Border Skirmishes
Amid growing hostilities between India and Pakistan, Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government issued a formal statement urging both nations to avoid further conflict and pursue diplomacy. The warning comes after a deadly exchange of artillery fire along the Line of Control, which has left dozens of civilians dead on both sides.
In a post shared on platform X, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated:
“It urges both sides to exercise restraint and resolve their issues through dialogue and diplomacy.”
The recent escalation followed India’s accusation that Pakistan supported a devastating terror attack on April 22 in Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians—the deadliest in recent years. In retaliation, India launched artillery strikes, to which Pakistan responded with shelling. Islamabad claims 26 of its civilians were killed, while India has reported 12 fatalities from Pakistani fire.
The Taliban government’s response highlights its growing concern over regional stability, especially given its complex relationship with both neighbors. While ties with Pakistan have soured in recent months—mainly due to Islamabad’s aggressive deportation of Afghan nationals—Kabul’s engagement with New Delhi has strengthened despite India not officially recognizing the Taliban regime.
The Taliban, who regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, now position themselves as a stabilizing force in South Asia, calling for restraint and regional cooperation even as geopolitical tensions threaten to spiral.
