Afghanistan reports 55 civilian deaths, Pakistan says 415 'terrorists' killed in border fighting
Kabul claims 55 civilians were killed in fighting sparked by retaliatory operations along the border, while Pakistan says more than 400 Afghan Taliban forces have died and denies targeting civilians.
An Afghan government spokesman said on Sunday that 55 civilians have been killed in clashes with Pakistan.
Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesperson of the Afghan government, said that since Thursday, 55 civilians, including women and children, have been killed. The number of those injured has reached 69, he said in separate statements on X, adding that at least a dozen civilian homes were destroyed.
The casualties were reported in Paktika, Khost, Kunar, Nangarhar and Kandahar provinces, he added.
Meanwhile, Pakistan says its "self-defence" has ensured no civilians were targeted.
The South Asian nation's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Sunday said 415 Afghan Taliban forces and suspected terrorists have been killed and more than 580 injured in air strikes and clashes since Thursday.
Kabul, for its part, claims 56 Pakistani soldiers were killed in the border clashes.
Tensions between the two neighbours have been running high since late Thursday, when Kabul launched “retaliatory operations” along the border after Pakistani air strikes in late February.
According to a tally of figures from both sides of the border, 81 people have been killed so far.
They include 12 Pakistani soldiers and one civilian, while Kabul said 13 of its soldiers were killed and 55 civilians lost their lives during the clashes. One Pakistani soldier remains missing.
The casualty claims by Islamabad and Kabul could not be independently verified.
Separately, Pakistan on Saturday foiled an infiltration attempt by "terrorists" at the Qila Saifullah Sector, state-run Pakistan Television reported, citing security sources.
"Multiple terrorists were killed after Pakistani armed forces thwarted the infiltration attempt," the broadcaster reported.
Pakistan in late February launched air strikes on "terror targets," killing 70, while Afghan officials and the UN reported civilian deaths, claims Pakistan denies.
Relations have deteriorated in recent months as Pakistan accuses terrorists of operating from Afghan territory, an allegation Kabul rejects, even as regional diplomatic contacts continue amid efforts to ease tensions.