Pakistan-Afghanistan clashes escalate, Taliban claims 3 posts destroyed

Islamabad: Pakistan has once again initiated attacks within Afghan territory. These attacks have resulted in the deaths of two people, while several others have been injured. Previously, both sides had announced a cessation of hostilities on the occasion of the Eid festival—a move that had raised hopes for de-escalation, hopes which have now been dashed. Afghanistan has confirmed that attacks took place within its territory. Furthermore, it claimed that Afghan forces, acting in retaliation, destroyed three Pakistani border outposts.

Pakistan Fires Artillery Shells Near Border

According to a report by the news agency AP, Ziaur Rahman Spinghar—Director of the Department of Information and Culture in Afghanistan's Kunar province—stated that the Pakistani military fired dozens of artillery shells into the Narai and Sarkano districts, killing two civilians and injuring eight others.

He claimed that Afghan border forces, in a retaliatory strike, destroyed three Pakistani military outposts and killed one individual. Conversely, a Pakistani official has alleged that the Afghan military initiated gunfire in several areas.

Both Sides Had Halted Attacks for Eid

Last week, Pakistan and Afghanistan had agreed to halt attacks against one another on the occasion of Eid—the most significant festival for Muslims. Both sides had decided upon this ceasefire at the request of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey. Consequently, these fresh attacks have once again heightened the risk of a new war breaking out in India's neighborhood. Prior to the ceasefire, Pakistan had carried out a major attack on a hospital in Kabul, in which 400 people were killed.

Pakistan Says: Attacks Will Continue

Tahira Andrabi, spokesperson for Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed fresh attacks during a press briefing on Thursday, stating that the ceasefire between the two sides had ended between March 23 and 24. Andrabi further stated that Pakistan's operations would continue until their objectives are achieved and until the Afghan Taliban government ceases providing support to terrorist infrastructure.