China has stepped forward with a strong appeal for restraint and an immediate ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as recent clashes along their shared border have significantly heightened tensions. The Chinese government has expressed deep concern over the surge in hostilities, which have included airstrikes and ground operations impacting key Afghan cities. Beijing is actively engaging with both Islamabad and Kabul in an effort to mediate and de-escalate the volatile situation before it spirals further out of control.
At a routine press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning conveyed China’s serious apprehension following reports that Pakistan launched airstrikes targeting major urban centers in Afghanistan, including the capital city Kabul. She urged both nations to exercise maximum restraint, avoid further provocations, and swiftly work towards a ceasefire agreement. Mao emphasized the urgent need to prevent additional casualties and the worsening of an already fragile security environment in the region.
China has a long-standing interest in maintaining stability along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, given its strategic and economic stakes in the region. The Chinese government has consistently offered to act as a diplomatic intermediary between the two neighbors, aiming to foster dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes. Currently, the Chinese Foreign Ministry, alongside its embassies in Islamabad and Kabul, is in close contact with relevant authorities to facilitate communication and explore avenues for conflict resolution.
The recent escalation was triggered by Pakistan’s launch of Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, a military campaign initiated in response to what Pakistani officials described as unprovoked attacks by Afghan Taliban forces along multiple points of the border. security sources, Taliban fighters opened fire in several areas within Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, prompting a rapid and coordinated counterattack by Pakistan’s armed forces to secure the border and neutralize militant threats.
One of the notable outcomes of this operation was the capture of five Afghan military posts in the Paktia province, directly opposite Pakistan’s South Waziristan region. Pakistani troops raised the national flag over these seized positions, which included two posts near Shawal, two opposite Angoor Adda, and one close to Zarmalan. The operation also involved the destruction of an Afghan terminal at Angoor Adda, further undermining Taliban control in the area. Pakistani forces employed a combination of air strikes, artillery shelling, and unmanned aerial vehicles (quadcopters) to target militant hideouts and command centers.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar provided detailed figures on the operation’s impact, stating that 133 Taliban fighters were killed and over 200 wounded, with the possibility of further casualties as military actions continue. He reported that 27 militant posts were destroyed and nine captured, while key Taliban defense installations in Kabul, Paktia, and Kandahar were targeted. The offensive also reportedly neutralized more than 36 tanks, alongside artillery guns and armored personnel carriers, significantly degrading the Taliban’s operational capabilities. Major command and logistics hubs, including corps and brigade headquarters and ammunition depots, were also destroyed during the campaign.
Heavy losses were inflicted in several border sectors, including Chitral, Bajaur, Tirah, Mohmand, Kurram, and Arandu. Pakistani officials underscored their armed forces’ readiness to defend national sovereignty against any further aggression. They issued a stern warning that any future hostile actions from across the border would be met with an even more forceful response, highlighting Islamabad’s commitment to securing its frontiers and maintaining peace in the region.
As tensions remain high, China’s call for calm and dialogue serves as a crucial reminder of the need for diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation. The international community continues to watch closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution that will restore stability to this strategically important and historically volatile border region.
