- Retaliatory strikes follow Pakistan Air Force raids along Durand Line
- Afghan defence ministry claims capture of posts in Kandahar and Ali-Sher
Hyderabad: Afghan forces seized key Pakistani military posts along the border after carrying out retaliatory strikes on Pakistani bases. The action followed recent air raids by the Pakistan Air Force inside Afghanistan. Meanwhile, fighting along the volatile Durand Line entered its fifth consecutive day.
The Afghan defence ministry said its forces targeted several key military locations near the 2,600 km Pakistan Afghanistan border. These included areas linked to Kabul, the Ali-Sher district in Khost, Jalalabad and Kandahar. The escalation marks the latest surge in tensions along the Durand Line. Hostilities have intensified since Pakistan’s February 21-22 strikes on what it described as terror camps.
According to Afghan officials, Afghan forces captured multiple Pakistani military posts in Kandahar province. These were located in the Spin Boldak and Shorabak districts. Three posts were reportedly seized in Spin Boldak. The clashes resulted in the deaths of three Pakistani soldiers and the capture of one serviceman. In addition, Afghan forces took over two Pakistani posts in the Ali-Sher district.
Over the past four days, both the Pakistani and Afghan militaries have engaged in cross border targeting of each other’s positions. Although officials described the clashes as the heaviest in years, they said the intensity has somewhat subsided compared to the initial phase. However, tensions remain high along the border.
The current round of hostilities began last month. Taliban led Afghan forces launched retaliatory operations against Pakistani military installations after Pakistan targeted militants inside Afghan territory. On Monday, the Afghan defence ministry said its forces destroyed a Pakistani armoured tank in Paktika province. The tank had allegedly fired shells indiscriminately toward Afghan territory.
Ministry spokesperson Enayatullah Khowarazmi said Afghan troops have killed more than 100 Pakistani personnel and captured over 25 military posts so far. Meanwhile, Afghan police said Pakistani fighter jets attempted to bomb Bagram air base near Kabul. However, Afghan air defence systems thwarted the attempt. No casualties or damage were reported. Bagram earlier served as the largest US military base in Afghanistan during the two decade long conflict.
The ongoing confrontation underscores deepening instability along the Durand Line. Both sides continue to accuse each other of aggression as military engagements persist across the shared border.
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