Kabul/Islamabad. The border tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan now seems to be turning into open military confrontation and attacks. The situation has become war-like between the claims and counterattacks of both the countries. Afghanistan claims that more than 55 Pakistani soldiers have been killed in its retaliation, while some soldiers have been captured alive. Afghan soldiers have captured about 15 posts of Pakistan on the Durand Line. On the other hand, Pakistan has claimed to have killed more than 130 Afghan fighters by carrying out air strikes in many areas including Afghanistan’s capital Kabul at midnight.
Pakistan has announced the launch of ‘Operation Ghazab Lil Haq’ against the Afghan Taliban regime. According to Pakistan’s Information Minister Ataullah Tarar, 133 Afghan Taliban operatives were killed and more than 200 were injured in this operation. Pakistan says that apart from Kabul, it targeted Taliban defense positions in Paktika and Kandahar. According to Pakistani claim, 27 posts were destroyed and 9 posts were also captured.
Pakistan says that this action was taken in response to cross-border attacks carried out by Afghanistan. According to Islamabad, more than 50 of its soldiers were killed in the Afghan attacks. Pakistan Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said the army was giving a “befitting reply” to the attacks by the Taliban government. Pakistan also claimed that it destroyed two corps headquarters, three brigade headquarters, two ammunition depots and several military positions. However, Pakistan described its losses as limited, saying only two of its soldiers were killed and three injured. Islamabad has also rejected claims of large-scale civilian casualties in Kabul.
Afghanistan claims- capture of Pak posts
Meanwhile, the Taliban government of Afghanistan has rejected Pakistan’s claims and said that its troops have captured 15 posts of Pakistan on the Durand Line. Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistani military posts in Kandahar and Helmand were targeted. The Afghan Defense Ministry claims that many Pakistani soldiers were killed and some were captured alive.
There were air strikes earlier also
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) recently confirmed that 13 civilians, including women and children, were killed in air strikes by Pakistan in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces. The ongoing firing and air strikes on the border have increased instability in the entire region. The round of allegations and counter-allegations continues between the two countries, while the international community is keeping an eye on the situation. At present, the situation remains extremely tense and the possibility of a major conflict cannot be ruled out.
