58 Pakistani troops killed in border attacks, Afghan Taliban says
Make us a preferred source
Make us a preferred source on Google
The news: Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged heavy fire along their shared border overnight on Saturday as tensions between the countries escalated following clashes and claims that one had breached the other’s territory.
The numbers: At a press conference on Sunday, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said its forces killed 58 Pakistani soldiers during overnight border operations.
Pakistan’s security officials said their forces have taken control of about 19 Afghan posts along their shared border and that 23 of its soldiers were killed. Pakistan said that the number of wounded Taliban and affiliated fighters was in the hundreds.
The context: Afghan troops opened fire on Pakistani border posts late on Saturday evening, with the country's ministry of defence saying the attacks were in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan last week. Pakistan said it responded with gun and artillery fire.
“The situation on all official borders and de facto lines of Afghanistan is under complete control, and illegal activities have been largely prevented,” Mujahid told the press conference in Kabul.
Kabul said that it had halted attacks at the request of Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The two Arab Gulf nations and Iran also published statements of concern about the clashes.
While the neighbouring countries have skirmished along the border in the past, the heavy clashes on Saturday night indicate a deepening of tensions.
Earlier this year, Pakistan and India came close to war after tourists were massacred in the disputed territory of Kashmir, prompting the US to engage with the countries to broker a ceasefire.
