Pakistani and Turkish foreign ministers discuss escalating clashes between Islamabad and Taliban

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar discussed the escalating clashes between Islamabad and the Taliban with his Turkish counterpart, according to a statement from Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on X on Friday.

Dar stated that Pakistan had responded to what it described as "provocative actions by the Taliban" by conducting airstrikes under the name "Ghadb al-Haqq" against targets inside Afghanistan, including in Kabul, Kandahar, Khost, and Paktia. Pakistani officials claimed that dozens of Taliban members were killed and wounded in these attacks, though the claim has not been independently verified.

In response, a Taliban spokesperson announced that Taliban forces had launched an aggressive counteraction against Pakistani forces in border areas. Tensions along the shared border have intensified amid ongoing mutual attacks between Taliban fighters and Pakistani armed forces.

During the call, both ministers emphasized the importance of preserving peace and stability in the region and agreed to remain in close contact regarding ongoing developments.