Kabul: Afghanistan on Tuesday said it handed over three Pakistani soldiers to negotiators from Saudi Arabia, months after they were captured during deadly border clashes between the two neighbors. Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid stated that the Pakistani soldiers were captured on Oct. 12 last year during clashes with Pakistani forces along the border.

According to Anadolu Agency, the soldiers "were released and handed over to the respected delegation that came from the brotherly country of Saudi Arabia," Mujahid shared in a post on US social media company X. Islamabad has yet to comment on the handover, highlighting continuing tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan which deteriorated last year following a series of deadly border clashes.

Mujahid further explained that the decision to release the soldiers was taken in line with Afghan policy of "maintaining positive relations with all countries" and was influenced by the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, as well as the desire to give "a positive response to the request of the brotherly country of Saudi Arabia."