Taliban cautions Pak as violence intensifies

Afghanistan wants to resolve border clashes with Pakistan through dialogue but has recourse to “other means” if peaceful efforts do not succeed, Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said on Sunday.

- Rezaul H Laskar

Hours after the clashes resulted in the deaths of dozens of Afghan and Pakistani troops, Muttaqi dismissed Pakistan’s allegations that Afghanistan is harbouring the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and said the Afghan people are fully united in the face of “external interference”.

Muttaqi, the first senior Taliban functionary to visit India, called off plans to visit the Taj Mahal and returned to New Delhi to address a news conference following fierce fighting along the Durand Line, the British-mandated border established in 1893 that is not recognised by Afghanistan.

The overall situation is now under control but Afghanistan won't tolerate any violation of its sovereignty, he said. "The policy of Islamic Emirate is to resolve all problems through discussions and understanding.

We want to have zero tension and if they [Pakistan] don't want that, then Afghanistan has other means," Muttaqi said.