Pakistan said two soldiers were killed and three were injured after Afghan Taliban forces launched an operation against military positions along the shared border late Thursday. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Pakistani troops responded to what he described as unprovoked fire.
Residents in border areas told the BBC they heard explosions and were urged to move to safer locations. Officials also reported a heavy exchange of fire overnight.
The Afghan Taliban said the offensive was a large-scale retaliatory operation following earlier strikes this week that it claimed killed at least 18 people. Islamabad maintained it had targeted militant camps and hideouts in prior actions.
Conflicting claims emerge as tensions rise
Taliban military spokesman Mawlawi Wahidullah Mohammadi said the operation began around 20:00 local time. Chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed the offensive killed Pakistani soldiers and captured others, assertions rejected by Pakistani authorities.
A spokesman for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denied reports of captured posts and dismissed claims of major damage. Government officials said that more than 130 Afghan Taliban have been killed in the retaliatory attacks by Pakistan.
Pakistan said Afghan forces miscalculated by opening fire across multiple locations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A statement from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting claimed heavy Afghan casualties and destruction of posts and equipment.
Residents reported sustained firing along the border, particularly near Torkham. Authorities asked locals to evacuate sensitive areas and temporarily halted the repatriation of Afghan nationals. The key crossing was also closed to refugees as security forces assessed the situation.
