PAKISTAN seized 19 Afghan military posts and “terrorist hideouts” in response to what it termed “unprovoked”

attacks by Afghan forces in the border areas, security sources said on Sunday, while Kabul claimed that 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 30 others injured during the retaliatory operations. At least 23 Pakistani soldiers and over 200 Taliban and affiliated terrorists were killed in intense overnight clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, the Pakistani army said on Sunday, as tensions escalated between the two neighbours amid mutual accusations of cross-border aggression.

 

The Taliban-led government’s Defence Ministry confirmed the attacks early on Sunday, saying that its forces had conducted “retaliatory and successful operations”. “If the opposing side again violates Afghanistan’s territorial integrity, our armed forces are fully prepared to defend the nation’s borders and will deliver a strong response,” the Ministry said. Afghan forces targeted Pakistani posts at Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, and Chitral in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baramcha in Balochistan. Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban Government’s chief spokesman, said that 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed and around 30 others wounded during the operations on Saturday night, ‘Tolo News’ reported. Mujahid added that during the retaliatory operations across the Durand Line, 20 Pakistani security outposts were destroyed, and numerous weapons and military equipment were seized.

 

He said that nine Afghan soldiers were killed and 16 others were wounded in the operations, according to the report. The spokesperson said that the operation was halted at midnight following requests from Qatar and Saudi Arabia, it added. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi called the Taliban attacks on border posts “unprovoked”, accusing them of firing at civilians. “Firing by Afghan forces on the 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. He said Pakistan’s forces are alert, and Afghanistan is being answered with “stones for bricks”. The situation deteriorated between the two neighbours following repeated terrorist attacks by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), allegedly using the Afghan soil, including one in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Orakzai district last week, which claimed the lives of 11 military personnel, including a Lt Colonel and a Major. On Thursday night, explosions were reported from the Afghan capital. Kabul blamed Islamabad for the attacks, but the Pakistani army refused to confirm or deny its involvement. Apparently prompted by the Kabul strikes, the Afghan security forces targeted attacks against Pakistan on Saturday night.

 

Pakistan launched its retaliatory response early Sunday, hitting several border areas and destroying border posts, the state media reported. However, security sources confirmed that Pakistani forces deployed at the international border “targeted several Afghan border posts”, adding that there were reports of significant damage inflicted on multiple Afghan posts and militant formations. “So far, Pakistan has captured 19 Afghan posts on the Afghan border from where attacks were being launched on Pakistan,” state broadcaster PTV News said on X, citing security sources. They claimed “several Afghan soldiers were killed” and militant formations were forced to retreat due to the “effective and intense retaliation by Pakistani forces”. Artillery, tanks, light and heavy weapons were used in the retaliatory action, along with air resources and drones, said the sources. They added that Afghan posts failed to provide covering fire to the militants, and there are reports of “heavy losses” among Afghan border posts and militants. The state broadcaster issued the following statement quoting security sources: “Unprovoked firing from the Afghan side at Pak-Afghan border, a strong, intense response from Pakistan Army.”

 

It said Pakistan was currently “targeting terrorist camps and hideouts of khawarij, ISIS located near the Pak-Afghan border inside Afghanistan with great precision. Afghan forces have retreated from several areas”. Afghanistan will not tolerate external aggression: Afghan Foreign Minister: AFGHANISTAN wants a peaceful resolution of its ongoing conflict with Pakistan but if the peace efforts don’t succeed, then it has “other means”, Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said on Sunday, asserting that his country is fiercely united in confronting any “external invasion”. As fresh fighting between the two sides broke out following Pakistani air strike in Kabul on Thursday, Muttaqi, currently on a six-day visit to India, said the overall situation is under control and that his country will not tolerate any violation of its sovereignty. In retaliation against the Pakistani action, Afghan forces on Saturday night attacked a number of Pakistani military posts along the frontier between the two neighbours that triggered fears of a wider conflict. A Taliban spokesperson said in Kabul that Afghan forces captured several Pakistani border posts and killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in the fighting.

 

“The policy of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is to resolve all problems through discussion and understanding. We want to have zero tension and if they don’t want that, then Afghanistan has other means,” Muttaqi said in a clear message to Pakistan from New Delhi. The Afghan Foreign Minister said Afghanistan has no problem with people and politicians of Pakistan, but added that certain elements in that country are trying to “spoil” the environment. Pakistan has been accusing the Taliban regime of giving shelter to Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists, blaming the group for a series of attacks inside the country. Kabul has rejected the charges. “We have no difficulties with Pakistani people and politicians. There are some specific elements in Pakistan who are trying to spoil the situation,” he said. “Afghanistan will maintain the security of its territory and airspace. There have been violations and we have given immediate responses to them. In the night, there were retaliatory operations in which we achieved our objectives,” he said. Muttaqi said Afghanistan has the capacity to defend its territory and airspace, adding Kabul wants to peacefully resolve all issues through dialogue and understanding. “If some people don’t want to resolve this episode, Afghanistan has the capacity to protect its territory and airspace. The people and forces of Afghanistan are united to defend the country.” “Afghanistan has another great speciality that even if we have internal differences, when the issue of external interference comes up, then all the Afghan people, government and clerics get united to confront it and defend the country,” he said.

 

“Even in the future, our people and the Government will unite and defend the country,” he said. The Afghan Foreign Minister said several friendly countries, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia, contacted Kabul and conveyed that the fighting should stop. “From our side, we have stopped the fighting, and the situation is under control. We want good relations. Our doors for talks are open. We brought peace to Afghanistan. We want peace in the entire region,” he said. Muttaqi also cited Afghanistan’s recent history to assert that the country is determined to defeat external forces. “We have a policy of desiring good relations with all countries. There was fighting in Afghanistan for more than 40 years. The Soviet Union came and was defeated. “The troops of more than 50 countries came with the US and NATO and there was fighting for 20 years and now Afghanistan is independent and standing on its own feet,” he said. “There have been no bad incidents in Afghanistan for four years. From East to West and North to West, people are united and standing with the Islamic Emirate,” he said. Muttaqi further added: “The policy of the Islamic Emirate is to resolve all problems through discussion and understanding.”