Fierce fighting broke out in several locations on the Afghan-Pakistani border overnight, killing and wounding a large number of soldiers from both sides and prompting Islamabad to close two major border crossings, officials in the two countries said on October 12.
The Pakistani military claimed that its forces killed more than 200 Afghan soldiers, adding that the number of wounded from the Afghan side was “much higher.”
The military said in a statement that 23 Pakistani soldiers were killed, and 29 others were wounded in the latest flare-up of violence between the two countries.
In Kabul, Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Taliban-led government, claimed that at least 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed and about 30 others were wounded in the exchange of fire.
Mujahid said in a press conference that nine Afghan soldiers were also killed and about 18 others injured in the clashes that erupted late on October 11.
Both sides accused each other of stirring violence, while describing their own operations as retaliatory actions.
The Pakistani army statement said the “Afghan Taliban” launched an “unprovoked attack on Pakistan,” prompting Islamabad to “repel the assault” to defend itself.
The army claimed that groups sponsored by India, Pakistan’s regional rival, supported the Taliban forces in the clashes.
The military said Pakistan has “noted with concern” that the latest violence coincided with a trip to New Delhi by Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi starting on October 9. Muttaqi is expected to be in India for a week of talks.
Pakistani army said several Taliban border posts had been destroyed inside Afghanistan during its attacks. The Taliban said it captured more than 20 Pakistani military posts. The claims cannot be independently verified.
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