Afghanistan and Pakistan exchanged sharp claims of heavy losses and captured posts after overnight operations across multiple border districts, deepening tensions along the unrecognised Durand Line frontier.
Military vehicles move near the Afghanistan–Pakistan border following reported retaliatory operations along the disputed Durand Line. | Pic courtesy: ANI
The Taliban-led Afghan government on Thursday claimed that its forces killed 55 Pakistani soldiers and seized 19 military outposts in retaliatory operations along the disputed Durand Line, sharply escalating tensions between the two neighbours.
The announcement marks one of the most serious flare-ups along the 2,611-km frontier in recent years. The Durand Line, which stretches 2,611 km (1,622 miles), has never been officially recognised by Afghanistan and remains a long-standing flashpoint between Kabul and Islamabad.
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In a press release, Afghanistan’s Ministry of National Defence said the operation began at 8:00 PM on the 9th of Ramadan, corresponding to February 26.
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“A few days ago, the Pakistani military circles, with great audacity, violated Afghan territory, breached our borders, and martyred women and children here,” the statement read.
According to the ministry, Afghan forces attacked Pakistani military posts in eastern and southeastern areas along the Durand Line, near Nangarhar, Khost, Paktika, Paktia, Kunar and Nuristan provinces.
“In these retaliatory operations along the Durand Line, a total of 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed, two bases and 19 posts were captured,” the statement said.
The ministry added that the four-hour operation destroyed two Pakistani military bases and 19 posts, while soldiers fled from four other posts. It further asserted that an enemy tank sustained damage and a significant military transport vehicle was seized.
“During these operations, dozens of light and heavy weapons, ammunition, and military supplies were seized by Afghan forces,” it said.
The statement further said that eight Afghan fighters were killed during the operation.
“In this retaliatory operation, 8 of our Mujahideen achieved the high status of martyrdom, and 11 others were injured,” said the ministry.
Deputy Spokesperson of Afghanistan, Hamdullah Fitrat, said heavy retaliatory operations were launched along what he termed the “so-called Durand Line”, with one headquarters and 19 outposts captured.
In a post on X, Fitrat wrote that operations were carried out by the 203 Mansouri Corps and the 201 Khalid bin Walid Corps “at various points in the provinces of Paktia, Paktika, Khost, Kunar, Nuristan, Nangarhar, and at the Torkham Gate”.
“To date, one headquarters and nineteen outposts have been captured; four outposts were abandoned and vacated, and the positions were completely set on fire. Up to fifty-five Pakistani soldiers have been killed, of whom twenty-three bodies and a number of others have been taken alive into the custody of the Mujahideen. Dozens of light and heavy weapons have been seized as spoils, one tank has been destroyed, and one International Harvester vehicle has also been captured. Retaliatory offensive operations remain ongoing,” the post read.
Fitrat also claimed that a major Pakistani military headquarters at Anzar Sar in the Alisher-Terezi district of Khost Province had been captured.
“The major headquarters of the Pakistani regime located at Anzar Sar, under the Babrak post in the Alisher-Terezi district of Khost Province, has just been captured. Dozens of soldiers are killed and wounded, and a large quantity of weapons has fallen into the hands of the Afghan forces,” he said in another post.
Earlier, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said extensive operations had been launched against Pakistani army posts and military facilities along the Durand Line in response to repeated attacks by Pakistani forces.
“In response to the repeated instances of rebellion and assaults by Pakistani military circles, extensive offensive operations have begun against Pakistani army centers and military facilities along the Durand Line,” Mujahid said on X.
He added that Fasihuddin Fitrat, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, is leading the major operation.
Meanwhile, Pakistan launched the ‘Ghazab Lil Haq’ operation targeting the Afghan Taliban regime, ARY News reported.
Prime Minister’s spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi confirmed that 133 Afghan Taliban fighters have been killed and more than 200 wounded, according to Geo News. The operations have also demolished 27 Taliban posts and captured nine, the reports said.
Pakistani security forces conducted retaliatory operations across multiple border areas, including Khyber, Kurram, Mohmand, Chitral, and Bajaur districts, damaging several Afghan Taliban posts, ARY News reported.
Earlier, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid had alleged that the Pakistani military carried out airstrikes in parts of Kandahar, Kabul, and Paktia.
“The cowardly Pakistani military has carried out airstrikes in certain areas of Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia; fortunately, there have been no reported casualties,” he wrote in a post on X.
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