In a stunning escalation, Afghanistan’s military has overrun Pakistani positions along their disputed frontier, killing 55 soldiers and claiming two bases plus 19 outposts. The Defense Ministry’s Friday statement paints a picture of decisive victory in response to Pakistan’s unprovoked civilian bombings.
The spark: Islamabad’s airstrikes on Nangarhar and Paktika, which Afghan officials say slaughtered innocents—a family of 22 in one blast, a child at school in another. No militants were present, per Taliban accounts, only everyday Afghans bearing the brunt.
Afghan forces retaliated with precision Thursday night, breaching the Durand Line eastward and southeastward. A four-hour battle saw bases obliterated, posts captured or abandoned, and loot hauled back: arms, munitions, supplies, one tank scrapped, one truck commandeered.
Eight Afghan lives lost, 11 hurt; meanwhile, Pakistani rockets scarred a refugee camp, injuring 13 including kids. Mujahid, speaking to Al Arabiya, branded Pakistan’s moves ‘shameful’ and promised retribution without specifics.
Pakistan counters that it targeted militants operating from Afghan safe havens—a charge Kabul vehemently denies, vowing no tolerance for such misuse of its soil. This tit-for-tat cycle exposes the border’s brittleness, where historical grievances and militant shadows fuel endless friction.
As dust settles on this latest showdown, questions swirl: Will cooler heads prevail, or is this the prelude to sustained hostilities? Regional powers watch warily, knowing the stakes extend far beyond these rugged hills.