Afghanistan hands three Pakistani soldiers to Saudi negotiators after border clashes

KABUL — Afghanistan said Tuesday 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 said the soldiers were captured on Oct. 12 last year during fighting with Pakistani forces along the border.They “were released and handed over to the respected delegation that came from the brotherly country of Saudi Arabia,” Mujahid said in a post on X.Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan deteriorated last year following a series of deadly clashes along their shared frontier.Mujahid said the decision was taken in line with Afghanistan’s policy of “maintaining positive relations with all countries,” and out of respect for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, as well as in response to “the request of the brotherly country of Saudi Arabia.”Saudi negotiators arrived in Kabul on Monday.