The European Union has urged all parties involved to immediately de-escalate following a sharp rise in violence between Afghanistan and Pakistan, including cross-Durand Line attacks and airstrikes.

In a statement issued by the High Representative on behalf of the EU, the bloc warned that the continuation of hostilities could have “serious implications for the region.”

The statement reaffirmed the EU’s position that Afghan territory must not be used to threaten or attack other states, calling on the Islamic Emirate to take “effective action” against all terrorist groups operating in or from Afghanistan. The Islamic Emirate has previously denied presence of militant groups in Afghanistan.

The EU also urged both Kabul and Islamabad to pursue dialogue to prevent further escalation. It stressed that international law — including humanitarian law — must be respected by all sides, and emphasized the importance of protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure.

“All feasible precautions must be taken to prevent further civilian harm,” the statement added.

The spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Zabihullah Mujahid, says that a special circle in Pakistan has launched a mission to destabilize the region following the recent escalation of conflicts between the two countries.

Speaking at a press conference in Kandahar province on Friday, Mujahid urged regional countries to put a stop to the “troublemakers.”

Mujahid stated that Afghan air forces had precisely targeted Pakistani military centers.

In response to a question about what position the Islamic Emirate would take if regional countries called for a halt to the war, he said that the Islamic Emirate seeks a peaceful resolution of issues and that they have previously held several rounds of negotiations and discussed the matters; however, the Pakistani side has not been prepared to resolve the issues through peaceful dialogue.

The spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate emphasized that the Pakistani side consistently attempts to fabricate pretexts for war and links its internal issues to Afghanistan.

Mujahid further stated that Pakistani aircraft are still patrolling Afghanistan’s airspace.

Last night, following retaliatory attacks by Afghan forces on Pakistani military facilities across the Durand Line, Pakistan’s military regime carried out airstrikes on locations in three Afghan provinces.

Mujahid confirmed that Pakistani forces bombed certain areas in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia.

He added that during the fighting that began Friday night, 13 Afghan soldiers were “martyred” and 22 others were wounded.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan described the operation as retaliation for Pakistan’s previous attacks in Nangarhar and Paktika earlier this week.

The Afghan Ministry of National Defense also announced that in these clashes, Afghan forces killed 55 Pakistani soldiers, captured several others, and seized two military headquarters along with 19 security posts.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Friday exchanged phone conversations with both Afghan and Pakistani top diplomats as well as other regional prominent actors amid growing tension between the two neighboring countries.

Fidan spoke on the phone with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammed Ishaq Dar, Turkish media reported citing sources.

The initiative came after the two countries attacked each other.

Turkish media reported that Fidan also spoke with Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdurrahman Al Thani and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan to discuss the recent developments between Afghanistan and Pakistan.