Kabul, April 3 – Local residents in Afghanistan's Khost province have accused Pakistani soldiers of targeting civilian homes in the Tani district on Thursday evening, as fighting continued along the country's border with Pakistan.
According to sources, many local residents have started leaving their homes to escape the violence, and reports of casualties have also come from the region, Khaama Press, Afghanistan's leading news agency, reported. However, no confirmed deaths or injuries have been reported so far.
Meanwhile, clashes were also reported in the Gurbuz district of Khost, Khaama Press reported. This latest fighting incident comes amid escalating tensions between Islamabad and Kabul over the past few months, due to Pakistani airstrikes that have resulted in casualties in war-torn Afghanistan.
The violence has occurred despite ongoing talks between Pakistani and Taliban officials in China, where both sides are trying to ease tensions and discuss a possible ceasefire. However, continued fighting on the ground has raised doubts about whether diplomacy can end the conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
On Tuesday, participants at a "Pakistan-Afghanistan Peace Jirga" organized in Peshawar urged the governments of both countries to stop the border clashes and resolve their differences through dialogue.
The jirga, organized under the auspices of the Aspire Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and National Reform Movement (Qaumi Islahi Tehreek) think-tank, was attended by various political and religious leaders, representatives of the business community, and the media, Dawn, Pakistan's leading daily, reported.
They urged Pakistan and Afghanistan to use diplomatic channels to resolve their differences, as both nations share common religious and cultural heritage, traditions, and social values. They emphasized that the ongoing conflict is a matter of concern for the people of both nations and stressed that the current tense situation would lead to dire consequences for the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Following the discussions at the jirga, the participants issued a joint declaration, urging both nations to immediately declare and implement a ceasefire to de-escalate tensions.
"Agree, in accordance with universally accepted international principles, that their respective territories will neither be used against each other nor be allowed to be used for any such activities. Ensure the implementation of this consensus with full state authority and capacity," the jirga stated, urging both nations to resolve their differences through dialogue and diplomacy, while highlighting that war is not a solution to any problem and that mutual respect and understanding are the greatest guarantees for sustainable peace.