Afghanistan has initiated military operations against Pakistan, targeting positions along their contentious border. The move comes after Pakistan conducted aerial attacks in Afghan provinces. Taliban officials reported significant clashes starting late Thursday, attributing the hostilities to “recent air strikes” by Pakistani forces.
Details of the Military Engagement
As stated by the Afghan military’s media office, the military activities were characterized as a response to ongoing provocations from Pakistan. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid declared that extensive operations were launched against Pakistani military installations along the Durand Line, the 2,611 km border that Afghanistan does not officially recognize.
Casualties and Claims
- An Afghan military source reported 10 Pakistani soldiers killed.
- It was claimed that 13 border outposts had been seized by Afghan forces.
- Conversely, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting denied any loss of posts and emphasized an effective retaliatory action against Taliban forces.
Pakistan asserted that their troops caused significant casualties on the Afghan side and conducted counterstrikes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Pakistani government dismissed the Afghan claims of outpost captures as entirely false.
Recent Developments
Pakistan’s military recently reported killing at least 70 insurgents during their operations along the Afghan border. However, Afghanistan responded by alleging that these strikes resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children.
Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have deteriorated in recent months, with border crossings largely closed following violent clashes last October. The ongoing tensions are fueled by accusations from Islamabad regarding Afghanistan’s inability to curb cross-border militant activities, which the Taliban administration categorically denies.
As both sides remain entrenched in their positions, the conflict along the Durand Line continues to escalate, highlighting the fragile and contentious nature of their relationship.
