The border between Afghanistan and Pakistan has been closed following intense clashes near the border, which resulted in the deaths of a significant number of Pakistani soldiers and Afghan militants. Pakistan’s military stated that 23 of its soldiers were killed in these confrontations, while Afghanistan claimed that nine of its militants died. However, the Pakistani military reported that over 200 Afghan militants were killed. In response, Afghanistan is asserting that the number of Pakistani soldiers killed in these attacks has risen to 58.
The exchange of attacks between the two sides began recently following airstrikes on Kabul. The Taliban has blamed Pakistan for those attacks; however, Pakistan has not accepted responsibility for them. Responding to the Taliban’s accusations, the Pakistani government stated that the Kabul government is providing protection and sanctuary to militants belonging to the Pakistani Taliban group operating in Pakistan. Pakistani media reported that Taliban forces targeted six areas near the Afghan border in the early hours of this morning. The media also reported that the Pakistani military retaliated strongly against the Taliban using weapons such as artillery.
Pakistani officials stated that all roads crossing the 2,600-kilometer border with Afghanistan, famously known as the Durand Line, have been closed. This includes major border crossings such as Torkham, Chaman, Kharlachi, Angoor Adda, and Ghulam Khan, which were closed today.
