No less than 55 Pakistani troopers had been killed in cross-border preventing, in accordance with Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities, as Pakistan launched airstrikes in a number of Afghan cities in a dramatic escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
Explosions and the sound of plane had been heard in Kabul early Friday, hours after the Taliban stated its forces had captured navy bases and posts alongside the disputed Durand Line. Pakistan disputed the figures and stated it had inflicted heavy casualties on Afghan fighters.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid accused Pakistan of concentrating on areas in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia.
“The cowardly Pakistani navy has carried out airstrikes in sure areas of Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia; fortuitously, there have been no reported casualties,” Mujahid wrote on X.
AFGHAN MINISTRY DETAILS RETALIATORY OPERATION
In an in depth press launch, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Nationwide Protection stated the operation started at 8:00 PM on February 26, akin to the ninth of Ramadan 1447, following what it described as a Pakistani violation of Afghan territory that killed ladies and kids.
“Just a few days in the past, the Pakistani navy circles, with nice audacity, violated Afghan territory, breached our borders, and martyred ladies and kids right here,” the assertion stated.
Based on the ministry, Afghan forces carried out coordinated counterattacks in japanese and southeastern sectors throughout the Durand Line close to Paktika, Paktia, Khost, Nangarhar, Kunar and Nuristan provinces.
The ministry claimed that through the four-hour battle, two Pakistani navy bases and 19 posts had been captured. Troopers allegedly fled from 4 extra posts.
“In these retaliatory operations alongside the Durand Line, a complete of 55 Pakistani troopers had been killed,” the assertion stated. It added that some our bodies had been transferred into Afghanistan, a number of troopers had been captured alive, and dozens of sunshine and heavy weapons, ammunition and navy provides had been seized. One Pakistani tank was destroyed and a big navy transport automobile was captured, in accordance with the ministry.
The assertion stated preventing ceased at midnight on the orders of the Chief of Normal Workers after “assigned goals had been achieved.”
Afghan authorities acknowledged casualties on their aspect, saying eight Taliban fighters had been killed and 11 others injured.
The ministry additionally stated 13 Afghan civilians, together with ladies and kids, had been injured in what it described as a missile assault on a refugee camp in Nangarhar.
The claims couldn’t be independently verified.
PAKISTAN DISPUTES CLAIMS
Pakistan strongly rejected the Afghan figures. Data Minister Attaullah Tarar stated two Pakistani troopers had been killed and three wounded, whereas 36 Afghan fighters had been reported useless.
In a put up on X, he stated Pakistan was giving a “robust and efficient response” to what he described as unprovoked firing and would proceed to defend its territorial integrity.
Mosharraf Ali Zaidi, spokesperson for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, denied that any Pakistani troopers had been captured.
The 2 sides reported sharply differing casualty figures, which couldn’t be independently verified.
PAKISTAN SAYS TALIBAN OPENED ‘UNPROVOKED FIRE’
Pakistan’s Ministry of Data and Broadcasting stated Afghan Taliban forces initiated unprovoked firing alongside a number of factors of the Pakistan–Afghanistan border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
In an announcement, the ministry stated the motion was being met with an “fast and efficient response” by Pakistan’s safety forces.
“The Afghan Taliban regime miscalculated and opened unprovoked hearth on a number of areas throughout the Pakistan–Afghanistan border in KP,” the assertion stated. “Taliban regime forces are being delivered punishment in Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram and Bajaur sectors.”
Early experiences indicated heavy casualties on the Afghan aspect, with a number of posts and gear destroyed, in accordance with the assertion.
“Pakistan will take all essential measures to make sure its territorial integrity and the protection and safety of its residents,” the ministry added.
President Asif Ali Zardari additionally weighed in, saying Pakistan wouldn’t compromise on its sovereignty.
“Pakistan is not going to compromise on peace and territorial integrity. Our armed forces’ response is complete and decisive. Those that mistake our peace for weak point will face a robust response — and nobody might be past attain,” he stated.
Pakistan’s statements sharply contradict the Taliban’s declare that dozens of Pakistani troopers had been killed and bases captured. The casualty figures reported by each side couldn’t be independently verified.
FIGHTING SPREADS TO TORKHAM
Clashes additionally erupted within the Torkham border space, a key crossing level between the 2 international locations.
Afghan authorities started evacuating a refugee camp close to the crossing after a number of refugees had been wounded, stated Qureshi Badlon, head of Torkham’s Data and Public Consciousness Board.
On the Pakistani aspect, police stated residents had been shifting to safer areas. Some Afghan refugees ready to cross again into Afghanistan had been additionally relocated. Pakistan has expelled a whole lot of hundreds of migrants since launching a crackdown in October 2023.
Pakistani police stated mortars fired from Afghanistan landed in close by villages, although no civilian casualties had been reported.
“Pakistan will take all essential measures to make sure its territorial integrity and the protection and safety of its residents,” the Data Ministry stated.
Afghanistan’s navy launched video footage exhibiting automobiles shifting at night time and the sound of heavy gunfire. The video couldn’t be independently verified.
LONG-RUNNING TENSIONS
The two,611-kilometre Durand Line — a border Afghanistan has not formally recognised — has lengthy been a flashpoint.
Tensions have remained excessive for months, with lethal clashes in October killing troopers, civilians and suspected militants. A Qatari-mediated ceasefire largely held afterward, although sporadic exchanges of fireplace continued.
– Ends
With inputs from Related Press
