Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Taliban, said in a press conference on Friday that Afghan forces had targeted what he described as “important military objectives” inside Pakistan, warning that Kabul is prepared to respond decisively if Islamabad continues hostilities.
Mujahid stated that the recent strikes were intended to send a clear message that “our hand can reach their collar,” adding that any “malicious act” by Pakistan would be answered “in Islamabad.”
According to Mujahid, during last night’s retaliatory operations, 19 Pakistani military posts and two headquarters were seized. He claimed that 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed and several others captured.
“Afghan forces recovered weapons, ammunition, one tank and a military transport vehicle. 13 Taliban soldiers were killed and 22 others wounded in the fighting,” said Mujahid.
He further alleged that Pakistani reconnaissance aircraft continue to fly over Afghan airspace and accused Pakistan of repeatedly violating Afghanistan’s sovereignty. Mujahid said Afghan drone strikes had hit “specific targets” inside Pakistan.
“The initiator of the war is Pakistan,” Mujahid said, adding that Afghanistan has exercised its right to self-defense and defended its territory. He also claimed that Pakistan is facing significant losses, including economic setbacks due to border closures along the hypothetical Durand Line and disruptions to trade with Central Asia.
Mujahid reiterated that the Taliban seeks peaceful relations with neighboring countries, including Pakistan and India. “Our good relations with India are not directed against Pakistan,” he said, emphasizing that the Taliban “has never been under the control of any country.”
He maintained that since returning to power, the Taliban has pursued a foreign policy based on mutual respect and positive engagement with regional and global actors. Mujahid highlighted the Taliban campaign against ISIS, describing it as a long and decisive war that contributed to regional security.
Addressing Pakistan’s long-running conflict with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Mujahid described it as an internal matter for Pakistan, noting that the conflict predates the Islamic Emirate’s return to power. “It is not reasonable for Pakistan to impose its old internal problem on Afghanistan,” he said.
Mujahid said that Pakistan initiated the recent escalations by violating Afghan airspace and bombing residential areas, including civilian targets in Jalalabad and Paktika. He alleged that women and children were among the casualties and said such actions constituted a violation of international norms.
While defending the Taliban military response as legitimate self-defense, Mujahid emphasized that Kabul continues to favor dialogue. “We have always insisted on a peaceful solution, and we still want the issue to be resolved through talks,” he said, adding that previous ceasefires had been violated by Pakistan.
He concluded by warning that Afghan retaliatory strikes would continue if attacks persist, but reiterated that the Taliban remains committed to resolving tensions through negotiation.
