Afghanistan says it has killed 58 Pakistani soldiers and wounded 30 others in overnight border operations as clashes between their militaries intensify following an air strike on Kabul earlier this week.
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Taliban government, said a “significant amount” of Pakistani weapons also fell into the hands of the Afghan forces, Afghanistan’s TOLO news agency posted on X on Sunday.
Mujahid said nine Taliban soldiers were also killed in the operations and nearly a dozen others were injured.
Pakistan has not yet commented on the Taliban government’s claim.
The overnight fighting marks a sharp escalation in tensions between the South Asian neighbours, prompting calls for restraint from Iran, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Mujahid said last night’s operation by the Afghan forces was halted at the request of Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Earlier on Sunday, the Taliban said it captured three Pakistani border posts during its retaliatory attacks at several points along the border in Kunar and Helmand provinces.
Enayatullah Khwarizmi, the spokesperson for the Afghan Ministry of Defence, said late on Saturday that Taliban forces had carried out “successful retaliatory” attacks against Pakistani soldiers in response to the neighbouring country’s “repeated violations” of, and air strikes on, Afghan territory. In a post on X, Khwarizmi said the attack ended at midnight.
The Pakistani state media on Sunday said its forces seized 19 Afghan border posts, citing security sources who said Afghan Taliban fighters at the posts were either killed or fled. A video broadcast by Pakistan Television (PTV) showed Afghan posts in flames Taliban soldiers allegedly surrendering in Kurram.
Radio Pakistan, citing security sources, said Pakistani forces completely destroyed the Taliban’s Manojba camp battalion headquarters, Jandusar Post, Turkmenzai camp and Kharchar Fort. The state broadcaster said Pakistan was targeting the hideouts of armed groups near the border “with great precision”.
Pakistani Minister of Interior Mohsin Naqvi called the Afghan attacks “unprovoked” and said accused Afghan forces of firing on civilian populations. “Firing by Afghan forces on civilian population is a blatant violation of international laws. Pakistan’s brave forces have given a prompt and effective response that no provocation will be tolerated,” he said in a post on X.
Radio Pakistan said the Afghan attacks prompted a “strong, intense response” from the Pakistan Army, and PTV shared video footage of gun and artillery fire that lit up the night sky.
The fighting came days after explosions rocked the Afghan capital, Kabul, in an air strike the Taliban blamed on Pakistan.
Islamabad did not claim responsibility for Thursday’s attacks. However, it accused the Afghan Taliban of harbouring fighters of the Pakistani Taliban who attack Pakistan, with the support of its adversary, India.
New Delhi denies the charge, while the Taliban says it does not allow its territory to be used against other countries.
Meanwhile, the Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi called on his country’s two neighbours “to exercise restraint”.
“Our position is that both sides must exercise restraint,” Araghchi said, according to a report by the AFP news agency, adding that “stability” between the countries “contributes to regional stability”.
Qatar expressed “deep concern” over the tensions and the “potential tensions these may have on the security and stability of the region”.
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also urged “both sides to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy, exercise restraint, and work to contain the disputes in a way that helps reduce tension, avoids escalation, and contributes to regional peace and stability”.
Saudi Arabia, too, expressed concern.
“The kingdom calls for restraint, avoiding escalation, and embracing dialogue and wisdom to contribute to reducing tensions and maintaining security and stability in the region,” the Saudi Foreign Ministry said.
“The kingdom affirms its support for all regional and international efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability, and its continued commitment to ensuring security, which will achieve stability and prosperity for the brotherly Pakistani and Afghan peoples,” it added.
Source: Agencies