Pakistan, Afghanistan clash when Muttaqi is in India

Border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan have grown in intensity, with both sides claiming that scores have been killed in operations and the Taliban government asserting that it has captured 25 Pakistani Army posts.

Trouble has been brewing on Pakistan's western flank for days after multiple bombings were reported in Kabul that the Taliban government blamed on Pakistan, accusing it of carrying out airstrikes. While these have not been officially acknowledged by Pakistan, there have been repeated threats by senior leaders who claim that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has been causing significant casualties on the Pak Army, is given shelter in Afghanistan.

On Sunday, Afghanistan said it killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in overnight operations in response to violations of its territory. It claimed that Afghan forces have captured 25 Pak Army positions along the border, leaving scores of soldiers injured. In counter, the Pakistan military claimed that it has killed more than 200 "Taliban and affiliated terrorists" in the border clashes. It also conceded that 23 Pakistani troops have been killed in the clashes.


The Taliban government's chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said: "The situation on all official borders and de facto lines of Afghanistan is under complete control, and illegal activities have been largely prevented."

Afghanistan's defence ministry said its forces conducted "retaliatory and successful operations" along the border, referring to Pakistani military strikes over the previous week. "If the opposing side again violates Afghanistan's territorial integrity, our armed forces are fully prepared to defend the nation's borders and will deliver a strong response."

Pakistan has been carrying out aerial strikes at several places in Afghanistan and on the border. While in the past, such actions were being carried out in remote areas, Pakistan has recently upped the ante and has been conducting strikes in urban centres as well as the capital city of Kabul.