Afghanistan wants peaceful resolution of its conflict with Pakistan but if the efforts don`t succeed, it has other means, Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said on Sunday.
Muttaqi`s comments at a media briefing at the Afghan embassy came amid escalating tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Pakistan carried out air strikes in Kabul on Thursday, and it followed clashes between the two sides.
Muttaqi said the situation is under control now.
“We want a peaceful resolution of the situation, but if the peace efforts don`t succeed, we have other options,” the Afghan foreign minister said.
“We have good relations with the people of Pakistan and the government but some elements in that country are trying to create problems,” he said.
Earlier, Pakistan responded to what it called “unprovoked” attacks by Afghan forces in border areas, destroying several Afghan border posts, training camps, and terrorist hideouts, security sources told PTI on Sunday.
The Taliban government`s Defence Ministry confirmed the attacks early Sunday, saying that its forces had conducted “retaliatory and successful operations”, reported PTI.
“If the opposing side again violates Afghanistan`s territorial integrity, our armed forces are fully prepared to defend the nation`s borders and will deliver a strong response,” the ministry said, reported PTI.
Afghan forces targeted Pakistani posts at Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, and Chitral in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baramcha in Balochistan.
Pakistan`s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi called the Taliban attacks on border posts “unprovoked”, accusing them of firing at civilians.
“Firing by Afghan forces on the civilian population is a blatant violation of international laws. Pakistan`s brave forces have given a prompt and effective response that no provocation will be tolerated,” he said, reported PTI.
He said Pakistan`s forces are alert, and Afghanistan is being answered with “stones for bricks”, reported PTI.
The situation deteriorated between the two neighbours following repeated terrorist attacks by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), allegedly using the Afghan soil, including one in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa`s Orakzai district last week, which claimed the lives of 11 military personnel, including a Lt Colonel and a Major.
On Thursday night, explosions were reported from the Afghan capital. Kabul blamed Islamabad for the attacks, but the Pakistani army refused to confirm or deny its involvement.
(With inputs from PTI)