At least 19 people died and 26 others were wounded in border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan in the provinces of Khost and Paktika. The casualties mainly include women and children, as stated by Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for the Afghan government. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid alleged that a “special circle” in Pakistan is working to destabilize the region following escalated tensions between Kabul and Islamabad.
Meanwhile, Mujahid, addressing a press conference in Kandahar, called on regional nations to halt the activities of “troublemakers.” He mentioned that Afghanistan’s air forces had targeted military centers in Pakistan. When questioned about the Taliban’s stance on resolving conflicts peacefully, Mujahid expressed Afghanistan’s willingness for dialogue but criticized Pakistan for not reciprocating.
Mujahid accused Pakistan of seeking excuses for war and intertwining its internal issues with Afghanistan. He claimed that Pakistani aircraft were still flying in Afghan airspace. Pakistan conducted airstrikes in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia provinces, leading to casualties among Afghan soldiers. The Afghan Air Force retaliated by targeting Pakistani military sites in Islamabad, Nowshera, Jamrud, and Abbottabad.
The Afghan Ministry of National Defence reported that Afghan forces launched retaliatory strikes along the border, resulting in the deaths of 55 Pakistani soldiers and the capture of two bases and 19 posts. Additionally, eight Afghan soldiers were killed, and 11 others were injured during the operation. Kabul also mentioned that 13 Afghan civilians, including women and children, were injured in a missile attack on a refugee camp in Nangarhar province.
Pakistan initiated ‘Operation Ghazab lil-Haq’ in response to alleged unprovoked firing by Afghan forces, conducting airstrikes on military installations in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia.
