Taliban Says It Did Not Initiate Conflict, Denies Crossing into Pakistan

DID Press: Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Taliban administration, stated that the group did not initiate the current hostilities and has not violated Pakistani territory, emphasizing that Taliban forces remain in a defensive posture.

Speaking in response to calls from religious scholars in Afghanistan and Pakistan to extend the ceasefire until the upcoming Eid al-Adha, Mujahid said the appeal should primarily be directed toward Pakistan. He stressed that defending the population is the Taliban’s responsibility and that the group has never been the aggressor.

The remarks were broadcast Wednesday by Afghanistan’s state television network, which is under Taliban control, through an audio message attributed to the spokesperson.

The statement followed a joint letter issued Tuesday by clerics from both countries urging an extension of the ceasefire between the Taliban and Islamabad until the holiday, while calling on both sides to prioritize dialogue and negotiations to secure peace.

The ceasefire between the Taliban and Pakistan, brokered with mediation from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar, expired at midnight Monday. Taliban officials have since accused Pakistan of violating the truce during the holiday period, while residents in the eastern provinces of Nuristan and Kunar reported that Pakistani forces continued rocket attacks on border regions, resulting in civilian casualties.