Gunfights Erupt Between Afghan and Pakistani Forces Along the Border

Kabul — Tensions escalated sharply along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border as intense armed clashes broke out between Taliban forces and Pakistani security personnel, following accusations by the Taliban that Pakistan carried out airstrikes on Afghan territory earlier in the week.

Officials from several Afghan provinces reported that Taliban fighters launched retaliatory attacks on Pakistani border posts, claiming that Islamabad had violated Afghanistan’s sovereignty with air raids targeting Kabul and other regions.

According to Afghanistan’s Taliban-run Ministry of Defence, two explosions were reported in Kabul and another in the southeastern province on Thursday. The ministry released a statement on Friday blaming Pakistan for the strikes and confirming that Taliban units had engaged in heavy cross-border fighting.

“In retaliation for air strikes carried out by the Pakistani army on Kabul, Taliban forces are engaged in heavy clashes against Pakistani security forces in various areas along the border,” the ministry said.

Clashes were reported at more than six locations along the volatile 2,600-kilometre frontier, with both sides claiming to have inflicted significant damage. Taliban sources alleged that they had captured three Pakistani border posts, while Pakistani officials asserted that their forces had destroyed several Taliban positions in response.

“We are responding with full force to unprovoked firing from the Afghan side,” said a senior Pakistani security official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation.

Viral videos circulating online appeared to show gunfire and artillery illuminating the night sky near the border areas, though the authenticity of the footage could not be independently verified.

Afghan Defence Ministry spokesperson Enayatullah Khowarazmi confirmed that Taliban forces had conducted operations in response to Pakistan’s alleged airspace violations, adding that the fighting concluded around midnight local time.

“If the opposing side again violates Afghanistan’s airspace, our armed forces are prepared to defend it and will respond strongly,” Khowarazmi warned.

Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban of harbouring Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, who are responsible for cross-border attacks against Pakistani targets.

As of Sunday morning, there had been no official statement from Islamabad confirming whether hostilities had ceased. The situation along the border remains extremely tense, with fears mounting that further clashes could deepen the rift between the two neighbouring nations.

With inputs from IANS