Afghan military authorities on Thursday said they have carried out strikes against Pakistan in retaliation to Pakistani airstrikes days ago. A statement issued by the media office of Afghanistan's military corps in the east said "heavy clashes" had started on Thursday night "in response to the recent airstrikes carried out by Pakistani forces in Nangarhar and Paktia" provinces. At least nine Pakistani troops are believed to be severely injured in the Afghan attack on security checkpoints, with reports saying the conflict may escalate further in the days to come. Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, announced on X that the Afghan forces have captured 15 posts, capturing many Pakistani soldiers.
Zabiullah Mujahid confirmed on X that Kabul had launched a large-scale retaliatory offensive against Pakistan by targeting its military checkpoints. “In response to repeated insurrections and insurrections by Pakistan’s military circles, extensive offensive operations were launched on Pakistani army centres and military facilities along the Durand Line," he said.
On Sunday, Pakistan's military carried out strikes along the border with Afghanistan, saying it had killed at least 70 militants.
Pakistan strikes seven terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan
Earlier this week, Pakistan said it targeted at least seven terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan in retaliation for the recent rebel attacks in the country, with Kabul warning of a "necessary and measured response" to the strikes. In the latest terrorist incident, an army lieutenant colonel and a soldier were killed in a suicide attack in the Bannu area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Saturday.
According to a statement by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Pakistan has conclusive evidence that these acts of terrorism, including at a Shiite mosque in Islamabad, one each in Bajaur and Bannu, followed by another incident in Bannu on Saturday, were allegedly perpetrated by Khwarij on the behest of their Afghanistan-based leadership and handlers.
Responsibilities for these attacks were claimed by Afghanistan
"Responsibilities for these attacks were also claimed by Afghanistan-based Pakistani Taliban belonging to Fitna-al-Khwarij (FAK) and their affiliates, and Islamic State of Khorsan Province (ISKP)," the ministry said.
Fitna-al-Khawarij is a term that the state uses for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). It said that despite repeated efforts by Pakistan to urge the Afghan Taliban regime to take verifiable measures to prevent the use of Afghan territory by terrorist groups and foreign proxies to carry out terrorist activities in Pakistan, it "failed" to undertake any substantive action against them.
"In this backdrop, Pakistan in a retributive response, has carried out intelligence-based selective targeting of seven terrorist camps and hideouts belonging to Pakistani Taliban of FAK and its affiliates and ISKP at the border region of Pakistan Afghan border with precision and accuracy," it said.
Pakistan expects international community to play positive role
The minister added that Pakistan expects and reiterates the interim Afghan government to fulfil its obligations. Pakistan also expects the international community to play a positive and constructive role by urging the Taliban regime to stand by its commitments as part of the Doha Agreement to deny use of its soil against other countries; an act vital for regional and global peace and security, it stated.
It further said that Pakistan has always strived for maintaining peace and stability in the region, but at the same time, the "safety and security of our citizens remains our top priority".
Afghanistan issues warning to Pakistani strikes
Meanwhile, Afghanistan in a statement warned that the Pakistani strikes on the provinces of Paktika and Nangarhar will be met with a "necessary and measured response". "Our borders and the security of our people is our sacred religious and national duty," Afghanistan's Defence Ministry said, adding that "at the appropriate time, a necessary and measured response will be delivered to these aggressions".
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