A former Pakistani militant leader with longstanding ties to the Afghan Taliban has traveled to Kabul in an apparent effort to ease escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The visit follows the most serious clashes between the two countries in years, sparked by Pakistani airstrikes on major Afghan cities that Islamabad says targeted militant groups operating from Afghan territory. Afghan authorities deny providing support to such groups.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman Khalil, founder of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, reportedly arrived with two other clerics as part of an informal delegation seeking to reduce hostilities. Sources familiar with the matter said the trip was not officially sanctioned by Pakistan and described it as a personal initiative. Khalil was previously designated by the United States as a global terrorist, and his organization has long been banned.

Relations between Kabul and Islamabad have deteriorated sharply amid repeated cross-border attacks and retaliatory strikes. Pakistan has accused Afghanistan of sheltering militants, including members of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, while Afghan officials condemn Pakistani air operations as violations of sovereignty that have caused civilian casualties. Despite public insistence on military measures, analysts say the visit suggests that back-channel negotiations remain active alongside ongoing operations.