Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate, held a telephone conversation with Wang Yi, China’s Foreign Minister, to discuss the expansion of bilateral relations between Afghanistan and China, regional security, and the impacts of ongoing developments in the region.

According to a statement from the Afghan Foreign Ministry, Muttaqi emphasized the Islamic Emirate’s economically oriented foreign policy and said that Afghanistan seeks to build trust, mutual respect, and economic cooperation with all neighboring and regional countries.

He also addressed recent regional security developments, underlining that the Islamic Emirate views dialogue and diplomacy as the only path to resolving any crisis.

During the call, Muttaqi shared the Islamic Emirate’s position on recent Pakistani incursions into Afghan territory, stressing that Afghanistan has the legitimate right to defend its people and territorial integrity, while simultaneously supporting political solutions rather than the escalation of conflict.

Wang Yi highlighted the importance of strengthening positive relations between Afghanistan and China and stated that China considers political understanding and problem-solving mechanisms crucial for regional stability and security. He also welcomed Afghanistan’s dialogue-based approach and stressed that targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure is unacceptable.

Regarding Afghanistan-Pakistan tensions, Wang Yi noted that military measures are not a solution and only heighten the crisis. He added that China is ready to play a constructive role in fostering understanding and trust.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) says civilian casualties are increasing amid the latest escalation of violence in Afghanistan.

According to UNAMA, at least four civilians were killed and 14 others injured — including women and children — in Pakistani airstrikes in the Pul-e-Charkhi area of Kabul on Thursday night.

The UN mission expressed concern over the continued violence and called for an immediate halt to hostilities to prevent further civilian casualties.

UNAMA noted that civilians, particularly women and children, are paying the heaviest price for the recent escalation. The agency reported that since February 26, at least 75 civilians have been killed and 193 others injured across Afghanistan as a result of ongoing armed clashes.

Earlier, Georgette Gagnon, Acting Head of UNAMA and Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, warned that the United Nations remains deeply concerned about the rising tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Speaking at a press conference, Gagnon said that although clashes have so far been largely concentrated in border areas, continued exchanges of fire carry serious risks. She added that the incidents have now entered their 14th consecutive day, affecting six provinces and eight districts across Afghanistan.

Gagnon emphasized that the United Nations is closely monitoring the impact of the conflict on civilians, including casualties, displacement, and growing restrictions on humanitarian access.

In a retaliatory move following last night’s Pakistani military airstrikes, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense announced that Afghan Air Forces conducted precision airstrikes early this morning on military sites in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to the ministry, the targeted strikes destroyed a key military fort in Kohat and hit strategic locations near the Durand Line, including a command center and the fort commander’s office, located around two kilometers away.

The Ministry of Defense claimed that the strikes neutralized several military facilities, ammunition depots, and troop quarters, inflicting significant damage to Pakistani forces. Afghan authorities also reported heavy personnel and material losses for the enemy as a result of the operation.

These airstrikes come amidst a rising civilian death toll, with Pakistan’s airstrike in Kabul’s Pul-e-Charkhi area on the night of March 12 reportedly killing four civilians, including women, and injuring over 30 others. The escalating violence has sparked growing concerns over the safety of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.