Afghan forces have launched retaliatory strikes on Pakistani military bases in response to recent Pakistan Air Force air raids within Afghanistan. The conflict along the volatile Durand Line has now entered its fifth consecutive day. The Afghan defence ministry confirmed that key military locations near the 2,600-km Pakistan-Afghanistan border were targeted, including areas connected to Kabul, the Ali-Sher district in Khost, Jalalabad, and Kandahar.
The tensions along the Durand Line have escalated significantly following Pakistan’s airstrikes on alleged terror camps on February 21-22. Afghan officials reported that their forces have seized multiple Pakistani military posts in Kandahar province, particularly in the Spin Boldak and Shorabak districts. In Spin Boldak, three posts were captured, resulting in the deaths of three Pakistani soldiers and the detainment of one serviceman. Additionally, two Pakistani posts were taken over in the Ali-Sher district, as per Afghanistan-based TOLOnews.
Both Pakistani and Afghan militaries have been involved in cross-border engagements over the past four days. Despite being described as the most intense clashes in years, officials noted a slight decrease in intensity compared to the initial phase of the conflict. The recent hostilities began when Afghan forces, led by the Taliban, launched retaliatory actions against Pakistani military installations in response to Pakistan’s operations against militants within Afghan territory.
The Afghan defence ministry announced that its forces destroyed a Pakistani armoured tank in Paktika province after it allegedly fired shells indiscriminately towards Afghan territory. Ministry spokesperson Enayatullah Khowarazmi revealed that Afghan troops have eliminated over 100 Pakistani personnel and captured more than 25 military posts. Afghan police also reported that Pakistani fighter jets tried to bomb Bagram air base near Kabul but were stopped by Afghan air defence systems, with no casualties or damage reported.
The ongoing conflict highlights the growing instability along the Durand Line, with both sides accusing each other of aggression as military confrontations persist along the shared border.
