Afghanistan confirms strikes on Pak military posts: 'Retaliatory ops against violation of sovereignty'

The latest escalation in cross-border hostilities marks one of the deadliest escalations along the Durand Line in recent years

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence, on Sunday, confirmed that its forces conducted operations against Pakistani military positions along the Durand Line.

The ministry, in a statement, described its actions as “retaliatory operations against repeated violations of Afghan sovereignty.”

Afghanistan’s Taliban spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, also announced that the overnight skirmishes along the Durand Line, the border with Pakistan, led to the deaths of 58 Pakistani soldiers and left 30 more wounded.

Afghan authorities, earlier this week, had accused Pakistan of launching airstrikes on Kabul and a marketplace in eastern Afghanistan. However, Islamabad has neither confirmed nor denied the allegations.

On Sunday, the Torkham border crossing, one of the main trade routes between the two nations, remained shut beyond its usual 8 a.m. opening amid rising tensions.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the overnight assault, asserting that the army had “given a befitting response” to Afghan provocations by destroying several of their posts and forcing them to withdraw.

The latest escalation in cross-border hostilities marks one of the deadliest escalations along the Durand Line in recent years, with exchanges of gunfire continuing late into Saturday night as both sides bolster their positions.