Afghanistan denies visas to Pakistan defence minister, ISI chief thrice in 3 days

The escalation follows cross-border firing over the weekend, triggered by Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul that targeted a militant linked to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Tensions between Islamabad and Kabul have reached a new low after Afghan authorities reportedly denied entry to Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, intelligence chief Asim Malik, and two senior military officials, rejecting their visa requests three times in as many days, according to Afghan broadcaster TOLONews.

The move follows a weekend of cross-border fighting triggered by Pakistani airstrikes targeting a Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant inside Afghanistan. The clashes have led to a surge in hostilities, with both sides trading heavy accusations.

Islamabad has long accused the Taliban administration of sheltering “terrorists” responsible for attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul, however, maintains that “Afghan soil is not being used against its neighbours.” In response, Afghan officials have accused Pakistan of harbouring members of the Islamic State’s Khorasan branch (ISIS-K) and demanded that Islamabad hand them over.

According to Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, Afghan forces killed “58 Pakistani troops” in overnight clashes, while nine Taliban fighters also died. The Pakistani military, on the other hand, said 23 of its soldiers and more than 200 Taliban and allied troops were killed.

Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, speaking in New Delhi, said the “situation is under control.” He added, “Our operation last night achieved its objectives. And then our friends like Qatar and Saudi Arabia appealed that the war must stop now, and the war has ceased right now.”

Muttaqi reiterated that “war is not a solution to problems,” stressing the need for dialogue. “This has been our policy,” he told reporters.

Following the clashes, key border crossings between the two countries were shut, halting trade and movement. Pakistani officials confirmed that all government offices handling border trade and administration had been closed.

“Loaded vehicles, including containers and trucks, are stuck on both sides of the border,” said Zia Ul Haq Sarhadi, senior vice president of the Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry, while speaking to Reuters. “Besides fresh fruit and vegetables, they are carrying imports, exports, and transit goods, causing millions of rupees in losses to both countries and traders,” he added.