"The fresh Pakistani attacks come on the heels of China's intensive shuttle diplomacy efforts to restore normalcy along the 2,600-kilometer Pakistan-Afghanistan border. In the latest move, China's special envoy on Afghan affairs, Yue Xiaoyong, held meetings with Taliban and Pakistani officials "to promote dialogue and reconciliation," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on March 12."
"Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a phone conversation with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar urging the need to prevent further escalation and calling on the two countries to "return to negotiations as soon as possible." On March 12, Pakistan's special representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, posted on X about a "detailed meeting" with his Chinese counterpart."
"Taliban authorities say four civilians were killed and 15 injured in the strikes on the morning of March 13. A Taliban source told RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal that an oil depot was also hit in the latest air strikes. The Afghan Taliban responded with drone strikes in the northwestern Pakistani city of Kohat on March 13, injuring two civilians."
Pakistan conducted airstrikes on Kabul and several Afghan provinces on March 13, killing four civilians and injuring 15 according to Taliban authorities, with no official Pakistani confirmation. An oil depot was also targeted. The Afghan Taliban responded with drone strikes on the Pakistani city of Kohat, injuring two civilians and claiming to hit a Pakistani military base. These escalations occurred amid China's intensive shuttle diplomacy efforts to restore normalcy along the 2,600-kilometer Pakistan-Afghanistan border. China's special envoy held meetings with Taliban and Pakistani officials to promote dialogue and reconciliation, while the Chinese Foreign Minister urged both countries to prevent further escalation and return to negotiations.
Read at RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty
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