Clashes Continue on Tense Afghanistan-Pakistan Border
According to the English section of webangah news agency, citing Mehr News Agency and Associated Press, Pakistani forces and Afghan Taliban fighters engaged once again in fighting in the border area of Kurram district, located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Pakistani state media accused Afghan forces of opening fire first, claiming that Pakistani troops responded by firing back and destroying several Afghan tanks and border posts. Two Pakistani security officials confirmed the clashes to Associated Press.
Islamabad alleges that the Taliban have repeatedly targeted Pakistani border posts. Kabul, though, maintains these actions are retaliatory measures against violations of AfghanistanS airspace and sovereignty.
The Indian news agency PTI reported that the nighttime clash began when Afghan forces teamed up with Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to attack a base in Kurram. According to this report, Pakistani forces responded forcefully, destroying what Islamabad described as a large training camp used by TTP militants.
A few days ago, Afghanistan’s caretaker government (Taliban) claimed it killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in retaliatory strikes on multiple bases along the border. Islamabad rejected this figure, stating it lost 23 soldiers while killing over 200 TTP militants or affiliated insurgents in response.
Tensions between Islamabad and Kabul have escalated over recent days. Kabul earlier accused Islamabad of conducting airstrikes on Afghanistan’s capital and markets in eastern regions; pakistan has not confirmed these allegations.
Long-standing tension over Tehrik-i-Taliban presence
Pakistan has acknowledged cross-border operations targeting alleged TTP hideouts. islamabad accuses Kabul of allowing this terrorist group free rein within Afghanistan’s territory. Simultaneously occurring, Kabul denies these claims, insisting Afghan soil is not used against any neighboring country.
