Pakistan has not publicly indicated any readiness to enter negotiations.
Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s interior minister, and Zabihullah Mujahid reiterated the group’s stated commitment to diplomacy, saying the path to talks remains open.
Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s foreign minister, also told Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi of Qatar that the Taliban do not support violence and prefer to resolve issues through mutual understanding and respect.
Speaking at a mosque in Khost Province on Friday, Haqqani urged Pakistan not to take actions that would force the Taliban to declare what he described as a national uprising and jihad. He warned that Pakistan would face serious consequences if such a step were taken and called on regional and international countries to help reduce tensions and facilitate dialogue.
At a separate news conference, Mujahid warned that continued clashes could destabilise the region. He called on neighbouring countries to prevent further Pakistani military attacks and said Islamabad had shown no willingness to resolve disputes through negotiations.
Hamdullah Fitrat, a deputy spokesperson for the Taliban, alleged that Pakistani forces deliberately targeted civilians in Khost Province and Paktika Province, killing 19 people and wounding 26 others, most of them women and children.
In response, Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, spokesperson for the Pakistan Army, said at least 274 Afghan militants were killed in Pakistan’s strikes. He said 73 Taliban posts were destroyed and 18 others seized, with more than 400 people wounded. He also claimed that at least 115 Taliban tanks and armoured vehicles were destroyed.
Pakistan has confirmed that 12 of its soldiers were killed in the clashes. Mujahid, however, claimed that 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed in recent border fighting and that some of their bodies were in Taliban custody. He also confirmed that 13 Taliban fighters were killed.
The escalation has prompted diplomatic efforts by Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Turkiye to reduce tensions and encourage talks. China and Russia have also expressed readiness to mediate.
It remains unclear whether regional efforts will succeed in ending the fighting, but relations between the Taliban and Pakistan appear to remain highly strained.
Pakistan has said it will no longer tolerate threats emanating from Afghan territory, while the Taliban have warned they will respond to any further attacks.
