ISLAMABAD: Afghan forces resorted to unprovoked firing at multiple locations along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, including Angoor Adda, Bajaur, and Kurram, prompting a swift and decisive response from the Pakistan Army. During the retaliatory operations, several Afghan posts were destroyed, and dozens of Afghan soldiers along with Khawarij militants were killed, security sources confirmed on Saturday.
The firing from Afghan positions was reportedly intended to assist Khawarij formations in infiltrating Pakistan. Alert Pakistan Army border posts engaged the attackers with full force, targeting multiple Afghan positions effectively.
Taliban fighters abandoned several posts and bodies before fleeing, as Pakistani forces dispersed militant formations sheltering ISIS and Fitna Al-Khawarij elements inside Afghanistan.
Security officials confirmed that Afghan posts failed to provide cover to the militants, resulting in significant losses. The Pakistan Army employed artillery, tanks, light and heavy weapons, as well as air assets and drones, to strike terrorist hideouts, including Afghan command centres harbouring ISIS and Khawarij elements.
The clashes coincided with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to India, raising concerns in Islamabad about regional security dynamics.
Pakistan has repeatedly urged the interim Afghan government to prevent its territory from being used by groups such as the TTP to carry out attacks inside Pakistan. Reports to the United Nations Security Council have highlighted a nexus between Afghan territory and TTP operations.
DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry underscored that India is reportedly using Afghan soil to conduct proxy attacks against Pakistan. He called on Kabul to “seal the border” and warned that Pakistan would take all necessary measures to protect its citizens and territory.
Following the US withdrawal, abandoned American weapons in Afghanistan have further empowered terrorist groups, making effective border security and counterterrorism action imperative.
