Fresh bloodshed on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border has resulted in 19 fatalities, predominantly women and children, across Khost and Paktika, alongside 26 injuries. Afghan deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat painted a harrowing picture of the human cost from recent skirmishes.
In a Kandahar briefing, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid alleged a Pakistani ‘special unit’ ignited unrest amid bilateral strains. He called on area nations to halt troublemakers and defended Afghan precision strikes on enemy installations.
Pakistan’s Thursday night raids on Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia claimed 13 Afghan lives and injured 22, sparking revenge airstrikes on Pakistani assets in Faizabad, Naushera, Jamrud, and Abbottabad. Fitrat hailed these as successful reprisals via the air force around 11 AM.
Afghan forces pressed advantages on the frontier, neutralizing 55 foes, overtaking 19 outposts and two bases—at the price of eight comrades lost and 11 hurt. Echoes of tragedy resound from a prior Pakistani barrage on Nangarhar’s refugee camp, maiming 13 innocents.
Despite pursuing peace talks, Mujahid accused Pakistan of dodging solutions, staging conflicts, and buzzing Afghan skies. Islamabad, per Dawn, launched ‘Operation Gajab Lil-Haq’ to repel Afghan advances, striking military hubs.
The relentless barrage exposes deep-seated mistrust, with civilians trapped in the middle. As accusations fly and incursions persist, the risk of wider war looms large, underscoring the urgent need for mediated talks to restore calm.