Afghanistan claims 58 Pakistani soldiers killed in clashes
Pakistan closed its border crossings with Afghanistan on Sunday due to an overnight exchange of fire between the two countries, which cost the lives of 58 Pakistani soldiers.
According to the country’s defence ministry, the Afghan military fired on Pakistani border checkpoints late Saturday in revenge for Pakistani airstrikes earlier in the week. Pakistan stated that it reacted with gun and artillery fire.
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Afghanistan said it had killed 58 Pakistani soldiers but gave no details on how it knew of the casualty figures. It also said that 20 Afghan troops were killed or injured.
Pakistani security officials said they had inflicted casualties on Afghan forces but gave no number.
Both nations claimed to have destroyed border posts of the other side. Pakistani security officials shared video footage, which they said showed Afghan posts being hit.
The exchange of fire was mostly over on Sunday morning, Pakistani security officials said. But in Pakistan’s Kurram area, intermittent gunfire continued, according to local officials and residents.
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The Afghan Ministry of Defence had previously stated that the operation had ended at midnight local time.
Kabul said on Sunday that it had suspended attacks at the request of Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The two Arab Gulf nations issued messages of concern about the skirmishes.
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On Sunday, Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban administration’s spokesman, said, “There is no threat in any part of Afghanistan’s territory.” “The Islamic Emirate and the people of Afghanistan will defend their land and remain resolute and committed in this defence.”
Mujahid stated that violence was still happening in several regions.
Islamabad accuses the Taliban regime of harbouring militants that threaten Pakistan, which Kabul denies.
