Taliban rejects Pakistan’s claim of India's role in border clashes, calls allegations 'baseless'

Afghanistan’s Taliban has dismissed Pakistan’s accusations that India was involved in the recent border clashes between the two nations, calling the claims “baseless.” The violent exchanges had left dozens dead on both sides before a ceasefire brought temporary calm.

The response from Kabul came shortly after Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif alleged in an interview with local media that the Taliban administration was “fighting a proxy war” for India.

Following a week of hostilities, officials from Afghanistan and Pakistan reached a ceasefire agreement on October 19 after mediation efforts in Doha, facilitated by Qatar and Turkiye.

Taliban responds to Pakistan’s allegations

Afghanistan’s Defence Minister Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid strongly refuted the accusations, asserting that Kabul’s ties with both India and Pakistan are based purely on national interests.

“These claims are baseless. Afghanistan has never allowed its territory to be used against any other country. We are an independent nation and our relations with India and Pakistan are guided solely by national interest,” Mujahid told Al Jazeera. A translated clip of his remarks was shared by Afghanistan’s national broadcaster, RTA.

He went on to add, "These accusations that Pakistan is making are baseless and not supported by reality. These accusations are not true and are not acceptable and will only complicate the issue rather than resolve them." Mujahid, who is the son of Taliban founder Mullah Omar, stressed that such claims only escalate tensions instead of easing them.

Background of the clashes

Tensions between the two countries escalated after a series of explosions rocked Kabul on October 9, which Afghan authorities blamed on Pakistan. In retaliation, Afghan forces reportedly launched a border offensive over the October 11–12 weekend, prompting Islamabad to promise a strong counteraction.

As the situation worsened, with casualties reported among both soldiers and civilians, the two sides agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire on October 15. However, fresh Pakistani airstrikes were carried out on October 17, which Islamabad claimed were aimed at armed groups allegedly given refuge by the Taliban — a charge firmly denied by Kabul.

The second ceasefire, announced on October 19, marked a renewed effort to prevent further escalation, though mistrust between the two neighbours remains high.