ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Sunday expressed concern over border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, urging both sides to exercise restraint and hold dialogue to lower tensions.

Afghan security forces attacked Pakistani border posts late Saturday in response to what the Taliban government called “repeated violations” of their territory and airspace.

Earlier in the week, Afghan authorities accused Pakistan of an airstrikes in the capital, Kabul, and a market in the country’s east. Pakistan has neither denied nor confirmed the strikes.

The Torkham border crossing, one of two main trade routes between the two countries, did not open on Sunday at its usual time of 8am, following the skirmishes that underscore deepening security tensions between both countries.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia follows with concern the tensions and clashes witnessed in the border areas between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the State of Afghanistan,” the Saudi foreign ministry said on X.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry expressed concern over the escalations and the potential repercussions for the security and stability of the region. It urged both sides to prioritize “dialogue, diplomacy and restraint.”

Pakistan accuses Afghan authorities of harboring members of the banned group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad says carries out deadly attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul denies the charge and insists it does not allow its territory to be used against other countries.

The TTP, which is a separate group but is viewed by Pakistani officials as an ally of the Afghan Taliban, has been behind some of the deadliest attacks in Pakistan since late 2000s.

On Saturday, the TTP claimed responsibility for deadly attacks in multiple northwestern Pakistani districts that killed 20 security officials and three civilians this week.

“The firing by Afghan forces on civilian population is a blatant violation of international laws,” Pakistani Interior Minister Naqvi said in a statement, shared by the information ministry.