Taliban, Pakistani Forces Clash Along Kandahar Border, Say Sources

Iranian media have reported on the visit of the Sistan governor to Nimruz.

During the meeting, both sides discussed water issues, border trade and economic cooperation. According to Iranian media, the Taliban governor in Nimruz said water releases would continue if sufficient supply is available.

The governor of Sistan and Baluchestan also said Iran seeks to expand its trade and border relations with Afghanistan.

The meeting emphasised the implementation of a 23-point memorandum of understanding between Sistan and Nimruz, with plans to establish joint committees to advance cooperation.

Bijar proposed holding joint meetings every three months to further strengthen collaboration.

According to a statement issued on Monday, the two sides also highlighted the importance of China’s efforts to address regional challenges.

Haqqani told the Chinese envoy that the Taliban administration is seeking overall stability in Afghanistan.
No further details about the meeting were immediately released.

China, like most countries, has not formally recognised the Taliban government, with the exception of Russia. However, Beijing maintains extensive economic and diplomatic ties with the Taliban authorities.

Salar on Sunday shared a video of a Taliban member criticising the group’s ethnic conduct, writing that the aim of the war was to “end the occupation” and establish an “Islamic government”, not to bring the Taliban leaders’ own ethnic group and linguistic peers to power.

The former Taliban commander also wrote that he had previously rejected predictions and taunts by opponents about the Taliban leadership but said that “everything the opponents said has come true” and that the group has demonstrated this in practice.

In the video shared by Salar, Abdul Qadir Saad, a Taliban critic in Balkh, is seen condemning the concentration of power in the hands of Pashtun Taliban
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Two years ago, Salahuddin Salar was dismissed from his post after openly opposing Qari Ayub Khalid, the then Pashtun governor of Badakhshan.

Salar has previously criticised the Taliban’s performance as well.

In earlier remarks, he criticised “corruption”, “ethnic bias”, “the prioritisation of personal and tribal interests over justice and the public good”, and the concentration of wealth and national resources in the hands of a limited number of individuals. He warned that this situation widens the gap between the people and Taliban rule and calls the legitimacy of their authority into question.

Reacting to the killing of Ikramuddin Saree, a former police commander in Takhar, he also said that assassinations and killings are not a solution to Afghanistan’s crises and problems.

Sources said these discussions started in consultation with the Taliban and that two meetings have so far been held.

Kunar tribal elders state that over the past two months, villages in Sirkanay district have repeatedly been targeted by Pakistani mortar strikes, forcing many residents to abandon their homes.

According to them, after elders in Nuristan and Chitral reached a ceasefire agreement, elders in Sirkanay are now trying to achieve a similar deal through mediation by Bajaur elders.

They add that the Taliban are aware of these talks and that the process is moving forward with guidance from the group’s local authorities.

Both sides, they say, have shared their conditions with one another.

Previously, elders from Nuristan and Chitral agreed to reopen routes between their regions, with a permanent ceasefire envisaged from Nari district to Nuristan.

Meanwhile, Pakistani forces have reportedly obtained a verbal commitment from Nuristan elders not to allow members of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan to operate in their areas.

Images from that meeting show the jirga being held at a Pakistani military base, with Pakistani soldiers present during the signing, but no Taliban representatives in attendance.

Tribal elders believe the Taliban appear unwilling to directly confront Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and are instead trying to resolve the issue through tribal agreements.

Two days ago, Sirkanay district was again hit by several Pakistani artillery strikes.

The Taliban have not yet officially commented on these talks.

The authority said the casualties were recorded in Kabul, Bamiyan, Paktia, Ghor, Badghis, Balkh, Samangan, Sar-e Pol, Jawzjan and Baghlan.

The agency added that floods completely destroyed 94 homes and partially damaged 107 others.

Afghanistan faces destructive floods every year, particularly in recent weeks. Experts say climate change, reduced vegetation and construction along flood paths have contributed to rising casualties and damage.