MOSCOW; The Russian Foreign Ministry has expressed concern over the recent border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan that took place on October 10 and 11, urging both sides to show restraint and resolve their differences through diplomatic means.
In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that Kabul and Islamabad have presented differing accounts regarding the nature and causes of the recent confrontation.
She noted that both sides reportedly carried out aerial strikes and exchanged heavy gunfire across large sections of the border region, including areas within the Pashtun tribal belt.
According to fresh reports, both Pakistani and Afghan security personnel suffered casualties in the clashes.
Zakharova welcomed reports suggesting that the situation along the border is now gradually stabilising.
She called on both countries to exercise maximum restraint and to settle their disputes through political and diplomatic channels.
“We hope that constructive dialogue between our two friendly countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, on counterterrorism and regional security issues will be resumed soon,” she added.
