Afghanistan yesterday said it killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in overnight border operations, in response to what it called repeated violations of its territory and airspace.
Earlier in the week, Afghan authorities accused Pakistan of bombing Kabul and a market in the country’s east.
Pakistan did not claim responsibility for the assault.
Photo: AFP
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that Afghan forces have captured 25 Pakistani army posts, 58 soldiers have been killed and 30 others wounded.
“The situation on all official borders and de facto lines of Afghanistan is under complete control, and illegal activities have been largely prevented,” Mujahid said.
The Afghan Ministry of Defense yesterday morning said that its forces had conducted “retaliatory and successful operations” along the border.
“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 added.
The Torkham border crossing, one of two main trade routes between the two countries, did not open yesterday at its usual time of 8am.
Pakistan accuses Afghan authorities of harboring members of the banned group Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.
Islamabad said the group carries out deadly attacks inside Pakistan, but Kabul denies the charge, saying it does not allow its territory to be used against other countries.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the Saturday night assault and said the country’s army “not only gave a befitting reply to Afghanistan’s provocations, but also destroyed several of their posts, forcing them to retreat.”
The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern over the escalations and the potential repercussions for the security and stability of the region, and urged both sides to prioritize “dialogue, diplomacy and restraint.”
The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement late Saturday calling for “restraint, avoidance of escalation, and the adoption of dialogue and wisdom to help de-escalate tensions, and maintain the security and stability of the region.”
Saudi Arabia just reached a mutual defense pact with Pakistan, which put the kingdom under Islamabad’s nuclear umbrella following Israel’s attack on Qatar.
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