The United Nations has called on Pakistan and Afghanistan to adhere to international law as tensions flare once again between the two countries. Meanwhile, reports indicate that the situation along their shared border remains highly volatile.
Afghan Taliban officials from Khost province have confirmed to the BBC that attacks have resumed from Pakistan.
On Friday evening, Abdul Haq Fida, spokesperson for the Taliban’s southeastern Mansoori Corps, told the BBC:
“After the Iftar break, operations have restarted in Khost and Tank districts, and clashes are ongoing.”
Earlier, Mustagfar Gurbaz, spokesperson for the governor of Khost, also informed media outlets about the renewed attacks, stating:
“Once again, Afghan forces have launched counterattacks on Pakistani military posts along the border in Jazai Maidan, Alisher, and Teriz districts of Khost province.”
Pakistan has not yet issued any comment regarding these developments.
Mutual Accusations Amid Calls for Dialogue
While both nations have spoken of resolving disputes through dialogue, Pakistan and Afghanistan have taken confrontational stances, blaming each other for the escalation.
On Friday, after a day of rising tensions, both countries held press conferences outlining their positions and the perceived impact of the conflict.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the military to respond to any aggression from Afghanistan.
The Taliban government’s spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid accused Pakistan of attempting to impose its internal conflicts on Afghanistan.
Casualties and Claims
According to the Pakistan military:
12 Pakistani soldiers have been killed in clashes with Afghan Taliban forces.
27 soldiers have been injured, and one remains missing.
Additionally, they claim that 274 Taliban fighters have been killed, with over 400 injured.
Meanwhile, the Taliban government asserts that airstrikes targeting key Pakistani military positions and installations were successfully carried out.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid told the BBC that Afghan forces destroyed 19 Pakistani border posts and captured several Pakistani soldiers. He further claimed that over 50 Pakistani troops were killed in the attacks.
