Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told the BBC that three Pakistani soldiers were released from prison on the occasion of Ramadan through Saudi mediation.
Zabih Mujahid claimed that the soldiers were detained during “revenge attacks” by Taliban government forces on the Durand Line in southern Afghanistan on October 12.
The Taliban government’s central spokesman added that “the Islamic Emirate released these prisoners to maintain good relations with other countries.” He said that Pakistani forces did not capture any soldiers from the Afghan side during the war.
The statement issued by the Taliban government said that ‘The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, in line with its policy of emphasizing positive relations with all countries, released three Pakistani soldiers who arrived in Kabul yesterday, Monday, in honor of the arrival of the blessed month of Ramadan, which is the month of mercy and forgiveness, and in response to the request of the brotherly country of Saudi Arabia to host a negotiation team.’
Pakistan has not yet commented on the release of these prisoners.
On October 9, 2025, explosions were heard in the Afghan capital, Kabul. Later, a spokesman for the Taliban government said that Pakistan had ‘violated’ Kabul’s airspace and carried out airstrikes on civilian areas in Paktika and Kunar.
The Taliban government warned that this ‘aggression’ would not go unanswered and that a response would be given at an ‘appropriate’ time.
On the evening of October 11, reports were received of large-scale attacks on the Durand Line. Meanwhile, the Taliban government’s Ministry of Defense said its forces had launched “retaliatory” attacks on the Pakistani side of the Durand Line, which continued until October 12, escalating tensions, and Pakistani forces also carried out airstrikes in several areas inside Afghanistan.
A Qatar-brokered ceasefire between the Taliban government and the Pakistani side in Afghanistan has been reached, but clashes continue in several areas. After the failed talks in Qatar and Turkey, there were reports that Saudi Arabia had stepped in to mediate between the two sides, but apparently the Saudi involvement and negotiations did not yield any results.
This is the first time that a Saudi delegation has openly mediated between Afghanistan and Pakistan for the release of Pakistani soldiers.
Although Pakistani forces have previously used strong language against the Taliban government, they have not said that their soldiers are being held captive by the Taliban government.
What is clear in Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid’s conversation with the BBC is an emphasis on “good relations with countries” and a welcome for Saudi mediation, which has taken a practical step forward for the first time in the past few months.
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