Pakistan and Afghanistan exchange cross-border fire in escalating conflict

Afghanistan and Pakistan exchanged significant cross-border fire on Thursday amid escalating hostilities along their shared border, according to multiple reports.

The clashes came after the Taliban announced retaliatory attacks on Pakistani military positions; Islamabad said it responded to unprovoked fire in the area.

Reuters It said both forces clashed for more than two hours along their approximately 2,600-kilometer (1,615-mile) border, threatening a ceasefire agreed to in 2025 following the conflict.

Thursday’s flare-up came after Pakistani forces carried out airstrikes in Afghanistan earlier this week, and Taliban officials said at least 18 people were killed in the strikes. Reuters It was reported on February 24.

Meanwhile, Pakistan announced that it was targeting militant hideouts and denied allegations that civilians were targeted.

Taliban officials announced that a “comprehensive” military operation would be carried out against Pakistani army positions in response to the attacks.

“In response to repeated provocations, comprehensive preventive operations were launched against Pakistani military positions along the Durand Line,” the Taliban spokesman said. Zabihullah Mujahid He wrote to X.

In a separate statement he said “special laser units” were operating at night.

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Pakistani and Afghan forces clashed after days of clashes. (Commentary via Afghanistan Ministry of Defense/REUTERS)

Taliban military spokesman Mawlawi Vahidullah Muhammadi also said in a video shared with Reuters that the “retaliatory operation” began on Thursday evening.

Mujahid said that “a large number” of Pakistani soldiers were killed and some were captured. Reuters said it could not independently verify these claims.

In another post on X, Mujahid referred to previous attacks and said, “The cowardly Pakistani army bombed some places in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia. Thank God, no one was hurt.”

Pakistan has since rejected the Taliban’s account.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said in

The ministry said Taliban forces “miscalculated and opened unprovoked fire at multiple locations” along the border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The fire was responded to with “an immediate and effective response by Pakistani security forces,” the post said.

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Taliban members sit in a military vehicle during a Taliban military parade in Kabul, Afghanistan. (Reuters/Ali Khara)

“Initial reports confirm heavy losses on the Afghan side and the destruction of many sites and equipment,” the ministry said.

“Pakistan will take all necessary measures to ensure its territorial integrity and the safety and security of its citizens.”

Pakistani security sources also told Reuters that 22 Taliban personnel were killed and several helicopters were shot down.

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The clashes followed Pakistan’s accusations that the Taliban was harboring TTP militants behind increased violence and suicide attacks.

The Afghan Taliban rejects the claim. A day before the attacks in February, Pakistani officials said they had “undeniable evidence” that militants were carrying out attacks from Afghan territory. Reuters reported.

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