In a recent diplomatic exchange, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized the importance of peaceful dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan to resolve their ongoing disputes. During a phone conversation with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, Wang highlighted that any conflicts between the two neighboring countries should be settled through negotiation and consultation rather than the use of force. This appeal comes amid escalating tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, where military actions have intensified in recent weeks.
Wang urged both Islamabad and Kabul to maintain calm and exercise restraint in their dealings. He called for immediate face-to-face discussions aimed at establishing a ceasefire and addressing the root causes of their disagreements through constructive dialogue. The Chinese foreign minister warned that further military escalation would only deepen the crisis and complicate efforts toward peace, underscoring China’s role as a mediator striving to de-escalate the situation in the region.
This diplomatic intervention follows a significant military operation conducted by Pakistan on the night of March 12-13, when Pakistani forces targeted and bombed a fuel depot near Kandahar airport in Afghanistan. The strike marked a sharp intensification of hostilities between the two neighbors, who have experienced strained relations for years. Pakistani security officials released video footage showing the destruction of oil storage facilities at Kandahar airfield, which they claimed were being used by the Afghan Taliban and associated terrorist groups to support their militant activities.
The operation, named “Ghazab lil-Haq,” represents Pakistan’s ongoing campaign against cross-border terrorism. Pakistani military sources have pledged to continue these operations until their objectives are fully met. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, the campaign has resulted in the deaths of over 650 Afghan Taliban fighters, with more than 855 injured. Additionally, Pakistani forces have destroyed 243 militant checkposts, captured 42 fighters, and eliminated 219 tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery guns. These figures reflect Islamabad’s intensified efforts to curb the growing threat posed by militant groups operating along the porous border regions.
In parallel, Pakistan has also targeted terrorist camps belonging to groups such as Fitna al-Khawarij (FAK), its affiliates, and Daesh-Khorasan in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar, Paktika, and Khost provinces. Security sources confirmed that airstrikes in these areas killed over 80 militants, further demonstrating Pakistan’s commitment to dismantling terrorist infrastructure that threatens its national security.
It is important to recall that tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have flared repeatedly over the past years. In October 2025, both countries engaged in fierce border clashes after unprovoked attacks by Afghan Taliban militants on Pakistani border posts. These confrontations resulted in the deaths of more than 200 Taliban fighters and affiliated militants, while Pakistan mourned the loss of 23 soldiers who were killed defending their territory. Despite multiple rounds of negotiations since then, no lasting agreement has been reached, largely due to the Afghan Taliban regime’s reluctance to take decisive action against terrorist groups operating from its soil.
During their recent discussion, Wang and Muttaqi also touched upon the broader geopolitical landscape, including the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Wang expressed Beijing’s willingness to collaborate with the international community, including Afghanistan, to promote peace and stability in the region. This broader diplomatic engagement reflects China’s growing role as a key player in regional security affairs, seeking to balance competing interests and foster dialogue over conflict.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, Pakistan has witnessed a marked increase in cross-border terrorist activities, particularly in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, which share extensive borders with Afghanistan. These developments have prompted Islamabad to adopt a more aggressive security posture, including launching “Operation Ghazab lil-Haq” to neutralize threats emanating from across the border. The operation underscores Pakistan’s determination to safeguard its territorial integrity and curb militancy, even as it navigates complex diplomatic challenges with its neighbor.
