Afghanistan’s Taliban government claimed Thursday that its forces captured 15 Pakistani military outposts and killed approximately 40 soldiers in a large-scale border offensive, retaliating for Pakistani airstrikes earlier this week. Pakistan rejected the claims and reported that at least 22 Afghan Taliban personnel were killed in its own retaliatory fire along the disputed Durand Line .
What Did Afghanistan Claim in the Border Offensive?
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid posted on X that Afghan forces killed several Pakistani soldiers, captured some alive, and seized 15 outposts. He specified around 40 Pakistan military members died in Kunar province operations. Deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat confirmed the 15 outposts captured.
How Did Clashes Start in Kunar and Nangarhar?
Eastern Afghanistan military corps reported heavy clashes Thursday night avenging Pakistani air strikes earlier that week. Spokesman Wahidullah Mohammadi said forces in Nangarhar and Kunar launched heavy attacks on Pakistani outposts. No Afghan casualties reported so far.
What Is Pakistan’s Version of the Durand Line Fighting?
Pakistan’s information ministry posted on X that Afghan Taliban “miscalculated and opened unprovoked fire” in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram, and Bajaur sectors. Security forces delivered “punishment,” killing at least 22 Taliban personnel. They launched Operation Ghazab-lil-haqq.
What Tactics Did Pakistan Use in Retaliation?
Sources told Geo News Pakistani forces shot down all Afghan quadcopters attacking check posts. They targeted Taliban positions with light/heavy weapons and drones. Islamabad dismissed Taliban claims and fake videos circulating on social media.
What Sparked This Latest Afghanistan-Pakistan Border Escalation?
The clashes follow Pakistani strikes Sunday, where military claimed 70 militants killed. Kabul rejected this, insisting air raids killed dozens of civilians including women and children. Tensions simmer along the disputed Durand Line.
The clashes are occurring along the Durand Line, the 2,640-kilometer border between Pakistan and Afghanistan that Afghanistan has never formally recognized. The line was established in 1893 during British colonial rule, and successive Afghan governments have disputed it as an international boundaryÂ
FAQs
Q: How many Pakistani outposts did Afghanistan claim to capture?
A: 15, per Taliban spokespeople Mujahid and Fitrat.
Q: What Pakistani losses did Taliban report?
A: Around 40 military members killed in Kunar.
Q: How many Taliban did Pakistan say were killed?
A: At least 22 in retaliatory action.
Q: What operation did Pakistan launch?
A: Ghazab-lil-haqq after alleged unprovoked Afghan fire.
Q: What did Pakistan claim about Afghan tactics?
A: Quadcopters downed; positions hit by drones and weapons.
Disclaimer: This information is based on inputs from news agency reports. TSG does not independently confirm the information provided by the relevant sources.
