Pakistan responds 'effectively' against Afghanistan's 'unprovoked' attacks
Islamabad says Pakistani air strikes on the weekend targeted camps of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Daesh terrorists in eastern Afghanistan.
Pakistan has said it had taken "immediate" action against Afghanistan after its neighbour launched "unprovoked" attacks.
“Afghan Taliban miscalculated and opened unprovoked fire on multiple locations across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which is being met with immediate and effective response by Pakistan’s security forces,” Islamabad’s information ministry said in a post on X on Thursday.
“Taliban forces are being delivered punishment in the Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram, and Bajaur sectors. Early reports confirm heavy casualties on the Afghan side, with multiple posts and equipment destroyed,” the post added.
An Afghan Taliban spokesperson earlier said they launched "heavy attacks" against Pakistan, days after deadly strikes by Islamabad targeted “terrorists” in Afghanistan.
"To retaliate for the air strikes by Pakistan in Nangarhar and Paktia, the border forces in the eastern zone started heavy attacks on Pakistani outposts," Wahidullah Mohammadi, spokesperson for the military in eastern Afghanistan, said in a video message.
Islamabad said Pakistani air strikes on the weekend targeted camps of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Daesh terrorists in eastern Afghanistan, with security sources putting the terrorist death toll at 70.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said it had received “credible reports” that at least 13 civilians were killed and seven were wounded in Nangarhar.
Pakistan has accused neighbouring Afghanistan of sheltering TTP terrorists and of being responsible for a surge in cross-border attacks, a claim that Afghanistan has denied.
The Pakistani government has urged the Afghan government to dismantle the alleged sanctuaries of the TTP terrorist group inside Afghanistan.
According to Pakistani military officials, more than 500 people, including over 311 soldiers, were killed in attacks, largely carried out by the TTP, last year.
In October, Pakistan also conducted strikes inside Afghanistan to target terrorist hideouts.