Complete Afghanistan says killed Pakistani soldiers overn…

Complete Afghanistan says killed Pakistani soldiers overn… — Afghanistan Claims Killing Pakistani Soldiers in Border Clashes

Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have escalated following overnight border operations, with Afghanistan claiming to have killed 58 Pakistani soldiers. The Afghan government asserts that these actions were a response to repeated violations of its territory and airspace by Pakistan. This recent escalation follows accusations from Afghan authorities that Pakistan was responsible for bombing Kabul, the capital, and a market in eastern Afghanistan earlier in the week. Pakistan has not claimed responsibility for these alleged assaults. The situation has led to the closure of key border crossings and prompted international calls for calm and de-escalation.

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Afghan Government’s Account of the Border Operations

Zabihullah Mujahid, the chief spokesman for the Taliban government in Afghanistan, announced that Afghan forces had captured 25 Pakistani army posts during the overnight operations. He stated that 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 30 others wounded. Mujahid emphasized that the situation on all official borders and de facto lines of Afghanistan is under complete control and that illegal activities have been largely prevented. As of the time of the announcement, there was no immediate confirmation from Pakistan regarding the reported casualties or the capture of army posts.

The Taliban government’s Defense Ministry released a statement early Sunday morning, asserting that its forces had conducted “retaliatory and successful operations” along the border. The ministry warned that if Afghanistan’s territorial integrity is violated again, its armed forces are fully prepared to defend the nation’s borders and will deliver a strong response. The specific details of these operations and the locations where the clashes occurred were not immediately disclosed.

Border Crossing Closures and Regional Impact

The Torkham border crossing, a crucial trade route between Afghanistan and Pakistan, remained closed on Sunday, failing to open at its usual time. Similarly, the crossing at Chaman, located in southwest Pakistan, was also closed due to the worsening security situation. Reports indicated that people, including Afghan refugees attempting to leave Pakistan, were turned away at the Chaman crossing. An Associated Press reporter in Chaman reported hearing jets over Spin Boldak, a city within Afghanistan’s Kandahar province, and witnessed smoke rising after an explosion, further illustrating the intensity of the conflict.

The escalating tensions have prompted regional powers to call for calm. Before Afghanistan’s claims of casualties, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the alleged assault and stated that the country’s army responded to Afghanistan’s provocations by destroying several of their posts, forcing them to retreat. Pakistani security officials shared videos purportedly showing destroyed Afghanistan checkposts, but the footage could not be independently verified due to limited media access to the border areas.

Accusations and International Response

Pakistan has accused Afghan authorities of harboring members of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a banned group that Islamabad alleges carries out deadly attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul denies these charges, asserting that it does not allow its territory to be used against other countries. This accusation is a recurring point of contention between the two nations and contributes to the ongoing tensions.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry issued a statement calling for restraint, avoidance of escalation, and the adoption of dialogue and wisdom to de-escalate tensions and maintain regional security and stability. Qatar also expressed concern about the escalating tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. A senior Pakistani security official, speaking anonymously, said that Afghan forces opened fire in several northwestern border areas in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the districts of Chitral, Bajaur, Mohmand, Angoor Adda, and Kurram. The official also stated that Pakistani troops responded with heavy weaponry near Tirah in Khyber district and across the frontier in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province.

Historical Context and the Durand Line

Afghanistan and Pakistan share a 2,611-kilometer (1,622-mile) border known as the Durand Line. However, Afghanistan has never officially recognized this border, which was established in 1893 under British rule. This unresolved border dispute has been a long-standing source of tension between the two countries, contributing to border skirmishes and broader geopolitical issues. The lack of recognition fuels disagreements over territorial control and the movement of people and goods across the border.

Pakistan has previously conducted strikes within Afghanistan, targeting locations it alleges are militant hideouts. These strikes have typically been in remote and mountainous areas. The repeated accusations of harboring militants and the lack of a mutually agreed-upon border continue to strain relations, making it difficult to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region. The overnight clashes and the subsequent claims and counterclaims highlight the fragility of the security situation and the urgent need for diplomatic engagement.

The recent escalation between Afghanistan and Pakistan underscores the complex and volatile relationship between the two neighboring countries. The Afghan government’s claim of killing 58 Pakistani soldiers, the closure of vital border crossings, and the international calls for de-escalation all point to a situation that requires immediate and careful attention from regional and global stakeholders. The unresolved issues surrounding the Durand Line and the accusations of harboring militants continue to fuel the conflict, making it essential for both nations to engage in meaningful dialogue to address their grievances and find a path towards peaceful coexistence.

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