Taliban's Border Attacks Claim Lives of 15 Pakistani Soldiers Following Kabul Airstrikes

Tensions have significantly intensified between Afghanistan and Pakistan following a series of retaliatory attacks by Taliban forces along the border, reportedly resulting in the deaths of 15 Pakistani soldiers. These attacks were launched in response to Pakistan's recent airstrikes in Kabul and Paktika provinces, actions that Afghanistan has criticized as infringing on its sovereignty.

Mawlawi Mohammad Qasim Riaz, the spokesperson for the Helmand provincial government, reported that the clashes took place near the Durand Line in Helmand province's Bahrampur district. He indicated that Afghan forces not only caused substantial casualties but also captured three Pakistani military outposts, seizing weapons and ammunition during the overnight operation.

The Defence Ministry, under Taliban control, confirmed the engagement of its forces with Pakistani troops across several border provinces, including Helmand, Kandahar, Zabul, Paktika, Paktia, Khost, Nangarhar, and Kunar. A statement from the ministry asserted that Afghan forces were reacting to "unprovoked airstrikes" executed by Pakistan within Afghan territory.

Enayat Khowarazm, spokesperson for the defence ministry, informed AFP that the operations were deemed "successful" and concluded by midnight. He cautioned that any further violations of Afghanistan’s airspace would be met with a strong military reaction.

In contrast, Islamabad has neither confirmed nor denied the airstrikes, urging Kabul to halt its support for the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban. The TTP, an ideological ally of the Afghan Taliban, has escalated its attacks on Pakistani forces in recent months, particularly within the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

A high-ranking Pakistani security official told AFP that heavy gunfire exchanges occurred along multiple border points, with Pakistani forces reportedly shooting down three Afghan quadcopters suspected of carrying explosives. "Intense fighting continues," he stated, "though no casualties have been reported on our side so far."

The United Nations previously reported that the TTP continues to receive "substantial logistical and operational support" from Afghanistan's de facto authorities, a claim that the Taliban government in Kabul has refuted.

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif informed the National Assembly that diplomatic efforts to persuade the Taliban to curb the TTP have been unsuccessful. "We will not tolerate this any longer," he declared, pledging action against militant sanctuaries "whether on our soil or Afghan soil."

The situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border remains tense, with concerns of further escalation amid rising cross-border violence and mutual accusations of harboring militants.