"Moscow, which has sought to increase its influence in Afghanistan, says it welcomes stabilisation along the border. Russia has urged Pakistan and Afghanistan to exercise restraint after deadly fighting erupted along the border for two days, killing dozens and halting bilateral trade in what has amounted to the worst clashes in recent memory. The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday that it was closely monitoring the events and that the situation is stabilising, following similar statements from China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Qatar."
"Tensions rose on Thursday, when the Taliban blamed Pakistan for explosions in Kabul and the eastern province of Paktika. Two days later, on Saturday night, Taliban forces attacked various Pakistani military outposts. As Pakistani forces retaliated, the two sides exchanged gun, artillery and drone fire through early Sunday morning and fought sporadically throughout the day. The two sides have reported conflicting death tolls."
"By Monday, Pakistani troops were stationed on high alert along the closed border with Afghanistan, where hundreds of people and trucks loaded with goods remained stranded. Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it greatly values dialogue and diplomacy, but warned that any further provocations would be met with an unwavering and befitting response. Relations between the two countries have deteriorated since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021. Since then, Islamabad has accused the Taliban of allowing the Pakistan Taliban, also known as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), to operate within Afghan borders a charge Kabul denies."
Russia monitored clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and welcomed stabilisation while urging both sides to exercise restraint. China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Qatar issued similar statements. Fighting began after the Taliban blamed Pakistan for explosions in Kabul and Paktika, followed by Taliban attacks on Pakistani outposts and Pakistani retaliatory gun, artillery and drone strikes. Both sides reported conflicting death tolls. Pakistan closed the border, deployed troops on high alert, and left hundreds of people and trucks stranded. Pakistan warned that further provocations would receive an unwavering response. Bilateral relations have deteriorated since the Taliban takeover in 2021 amid accusations that Afghan territory harbors TTP militants.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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