, March 8 -- Afghanistan's Defense Minister Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid on Sunday said the country does not intend to escalate hostilities with Pakistan and favors resolving tensions through dialogue.

In an interview with TOLOnews, Mujahid emphasized that Afghanistan has not provoked recent clashes but has been forced to respond to incursions.

"Our message to the mediating countries is that we do not seek war and that we believe in negotiations," he said.

Military tensions between the two neighbors have risen in recent weeks, with both sides accusing each other of initiating violence.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from United News of Bangladesh....