Fresh clashes erupted on Tuesday night between Pakistani security forces and the Afghan Taliban along the border in Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as reported by the Associated Press. Pakistan’s state media accused Afghan forces of initiating the conflict by firing first, leading to Pakistani troops retaliating and causing damage to Afghan tanks and posts. Two Pakistani security officials confirmed the incident.
According to PTV News, Islamabad stated that Afghan Taliban and Fitna al-Khawarij engaged in unprovoked firing in Kurram, prompting a robust response from the Pakistani Army. The Afghan side has allegedly targeted Pakistani border posts multiple times, while Kabul claims it is responding to violations of its airspace and sovereignty.
The clash began when Afghan troops and Pakistani Taliban fighters jointly attacked a post in Kurram district. Pakistani forces responded decisively, reportedly destroying a significant training camp utilized by the Pakistani Taliban, causing the Taliban fighters to retreat.
Pakistan’s military is yet to provide an official statement on the incident. Over the weekend, Afghanistan’s Taliban government asserted that 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed in retaliatory strikes on military posts, a claim disputed by Pakistan, which reported 23 soldier casualties and over 200 Taliban and affiliated terrorists killed in return fire.
Tensions have been escalating, with Kabul accusing Pakistan of conducting airstrikes in the Afghan capital and eastern markets, accusations not confirmed by Islamabad.
The long-standing tensions stem from Pakistan’s acknowledgment of launching cross-border attacks against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts, a group closely associated with the Afghan Taliban. Pakistan blames Kabul for allowing the TTP to operate freely from Afghan territory, a claim denied by Kabul, which asserts its soil is not used against neighboring countries.