The Taliban government has confirmed that it attacked Pakistani troops in multiple mountainous locations on the northern border. A Taliban spokesman said 58 Pakistani military personnel had been killed in what it called an act of retaliation. It claimed Pakistan had violated Afghan airspace and bombed a market inside its border on Thursday.
Pakistan has disputed that figure, saying 23 of its armed forces' members had died and claiming that 200 Taliban and affiliated terrorists have been neutralized.
Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the Afghan attacks were unprovoked and civilians were fired at, warning that his country's forces would respond with a stone for every brick.
Islamabad has accused Kabul of harbouring terrorists who target Pakistan on its soil, a claim the Taliban government rejected. Both sides are said to have used small arms and artillery in the Kunar-Kurram region.
At a press conference on Sunday, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid stated that, in addition to the Pakistani military deaths, around 30 others had been wounded, while nine Taliban fighters were also reported dead, with injuries numbering between 16 and 18.
The crossfire has heightened concerns, leading to the closure of border crossings, leaving hundreds of trucks stranded and exacerbating regional stability issues. As both nations grapple with the aftermath, the international community has urged restraint and dialogue to avert further escalation.
Pakistan has disputed that figure, saying 23 of its armed forces' members had died and claiming that 200 Taliban and affiliated terrorists have been neutralized.
Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the Afghan attacks were unprovoked and civilians were fired at, warning that his country's forces would respond with a stone for every brick.
Islamabad has accused Kabul of harbouring terrorists who target Pakistan on its soil, a claim the Taliban government rejected. Both sides are said to have used small arms and artillery in the Kunar-Kurram region.
At a press conference on Sunday, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid stated that, in addition to the Pakistani military deaths, around 30 others had been wounded, while nine Taliban fighters were also reported dead, with injuries numbering between 16 and 18.
The crossfire has heightened concerns, leading to the closure of border crossings, leaving hundreds of trucks stranded and exacerbating regional stability issues. As both nations grapple with the aftermath, the international community has urged restraint and dialogue to avert further escalation.
