KABUL, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid announced on Tuesday evening that Afghanistan had released three Pakistani soldiers earlier that day who had been detained for more than four months.
In a statement posted on X, Mujahid said that Afghanistan adheres to a policy that emphasizes maintaining positive relations with all countries.
He also said out of respect for the arrival of the month of Ramadan and in positive response to a request from a Saudi Arabian delegation that arrived on Monday, Afghanistan released three Pakistani soldiers who had been held since Oct. 12, 2025, following a border clash between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and handed them over to the Saudi Arabian delegation.
Since October last year, multiple armed clashes have occurred in the border areas between Afghanistan and Pakistan. On Oct. 19 last year, under mediation by Qatar and Türkiye, the two sides agreed to a ceasefire.
Subsequently, several rounds of talks were held in Doha, Istanbul, and Riyadh to ensure the sustainability of the ceasefire, but no tangible results were achieved. ■