23:20

Pakistani and Afghan forces clashed along the border on February 26 after the Taliban launched retaliatory strikes against Pakistani posts, escalating tensions after days of hostilities.

Axar.az, citing Reuters, reports that Afghan forces opened fire on Pakistani positions, prompting a response described by Pakistan as “immediate and effective,” resulting in casualties and destruction of posts and equipment.

According to Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, “about 40 Pakistani soldiers were killed in Kunar,” while Pakistani sources reported 22 Taliban fighters killed and several quadcopters shot down.

Mujahid warned that if Pakistan attacked Kabul or major cities, Afghanistan would “target their key centres and important cities.”

Pakistan’s prime minister’s spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi stated: “As of 2320 (1820 GMT) hrs not only were no Pakistani posts captured or damaged, but Pakistani forces had inflicted heavy losses across the border in response to what he described as ‘unprovoked Taliban aggression.’”

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Pakistan launches Operation Ghazab-lil-Haqq after cross-border attacks, killing 30 Afghan Taliban fighters and targeting posts along multiple border sectors, Friday Times reported.