Dozens of fighters were reported killed in border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan on Sunday, marking one of the deadliest confrontations in recent years, according to officials from both countries.
Afghan officials claimed that their forces killed 58 Pakistani soldiers during retaliatory strikes late Saturday, while Pakistan’s military reported that 23 Afghan fighters were killed. The violence followed Pakistani airstrikes earlier in the week that allegedly targeted areas in Kabul and a marketplace in eastern Afghanistan.
Although Pakistan has not publicly acknowledged the airstrikes, both Pakistani security sources and Taliban representatives confirmed their occurrence on Thursday, which led to a counterattack from Afghan forces.
According to a statement from Pakistan’s military, Afghan troops initiated fire on multiple border posts late Saturday, prompting a response characterized by “effective gun and artillery fire.” Afghan officials, conversely, labeled the conflict as a “retaliatory defense” against what they described as continuous air violations by Pakistan.
Enayatullah Khwarizmi, a spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense, stated that Taliban forces executed “successful retaliatory attacks” against Pakistani troops in response to what he called “repeated violations” of Afghan sovereignty. He further claimed that Taliban fighters had captured three Pakistani border posts during the clashes in Kunar and Helmand provinces.
Pakistani state media reported that its security forces had taken control of 19 Afghan border posts, citing unnamed security sources claiming that Taliban fighters stationed there either fled or were killed.
The escalation of hostilities has raised concerns among regional powers. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Iran have expressed their readiness to mediate and help prevent further conflict.
In a statement, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry called upon both nations to “prioritize dialogue and diplomacy, exercise restraint, and work to contain disputes in ways that reduce tension and contribute to regional peace and stability.” The statement reinforced Qatar’s commitment to supporting “all regional and international efforts aimed at promoting peace and security,” alongside fostering “lasting stability and prosperity for the brotherly peoples of Pakistan and Afghanistan.”
These clashes reflect the increasing volatility along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, where tensions have escalated due to cross-border attacks, airstrikes, and allegations of Pakistani interference in Afghan matters.
Tags: Pakistan, Afghanistan, border clashes, dozens killed, conflict
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