New Delhi, February 27: Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have escalated once again. The Afghan National Defense Ministry announced on Friday that Afghan forces conducted retaliatory strikes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, resulting in the deaths of at least 55 Pakistani soldiers and the capture of two military bases along with 19 posts.
This action follows a prior attack by Pakistan on Afghanistan, prompting the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan to respond. According to the defense ministry, these strikes occurred Thursday night in response to Pakistani assaults that had already claimed the lives of women and children in Afghan territory. Afghan forces targeted Pakistani security checkpoints to the east and southeast across the Durand Line.
The ministry reported that during these operations, Afghan forces destroyed two Pakistani military bases and 19 checkpoints, forcing soldiers to flee from four additional posts. The fighting lasted nearly four hours, resulting in the deaths of 55 Pakistani soldiers, with several captured and others managing to escape.
The ministry stated, “In these operations, Afghan forces seized dozens of light and heavy weapons, ammunition, and military supplies. Additionally, one enemy tank was destroyed, and a large military transport vehicle was captured.”
The Afghan ministry also noted that eight Afghan soldiers were killed and 11 others injured during the operations. Furthermore, it reported that a missile attack by the Pakistani military on a refugee camp in Nangarhar province injured 13 Afghan civilians, including women and children.
Recently, the Taliban criticized Pakistan for its airstrikes in Afghanistan, labeling them as shameful acts. The Taliban government issued a warning of military retaliation against Pakistan, claiming that Islamabad targeted civilians instead of militants.
In an interview with Al Arabiya English, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated, “Clearly, there will be a military response, but the details are confidential, and I cannot disclose more. Pakistan must be held accountable for its shameful actions.”
Earlier, on February 22, the Afghan National Defense Ministry accused the Pakistani military regime of conducting deadly airstrikes in residential areas of Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, resulting in civilian casualties. However, Islamabad claimed it was targeting militant groups responsible for attacks within Pakistan.
Mujahid reported that an attack in Nangarhar killed 17 members of a single family and injured five others. He also mentioned that a school was attacked, injuring one child and causing damage to several buildings.
He emphasized, “There were no armed individuals present. Only ordinary people were injured and killed. Civilian areas were targeted.” Additionally, Mujahid dismissed Pakistan’s claims that Afghan territory was being used for attacks against neighboring countries. He stated, “Unfortunately, whenever attacks occur within Pakistan, they immediately blame Afghanistan without evidence. We reject these accusations. Afghan soil will not be used against anyone.”
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