Afghanistan has launched a “large-scale” military operation against Pakistani army positions along their shared border in retaliation for recent Pakistani air strikes, Taliban officials said.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid reported that dozens of Pakistani soldiers were killed, several captured, and more than 15 military posts seized during the operation launched late Thursday.
Pakistan’s Information Ministry described the Afghan attacks as “unprovoked fire” and said its forces responded immediately and effectively, causing significant casualties on the Afghan side.
The offensive follows Pakistani air strikes earlier this week on Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, which the UN said killed at least 13 civilians. Taliban officials stated that civilian homes and a religious school were among the targets, resulting in the deaths of women and children.
The recent clashes come after a fragile ceasefire agreed in October collapsed amid renewed cross-border fighting. Pakistan has accused the Taliban of providing safe havens to the Pakistan Taliban, responsible for over 600 attacks on Pakistani forces in the past year.
Afghanistan and Pakistan share a 2,574 km (1,600-mile) mountainous border, along which tensions have escalated over repeated attacks and retaliatory strikes. Both countries have reported cross-border fire in recent days, though casualties were not always confirmed.
Local officials in Kunar province confirmed ongoing military operations, while Taliban spokespersons claimed Afghan forces acted along multiple provinces. Pakistan warned it would take all necessary measures to protect its territory and citizens.
The conflict has drawn international attention, with previous negotiations brokered by Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia failing to produce a lasting resolution. The escalation highlights deepening tensions between the two neighbors amid ongoing insurgent attacks and retaliatory military actions.
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