Pakistan, Afghanistan claim gains amid border clashes

IRAN, SAUDI ARABIA AND QATAR CALL FOR RESTRAINT AND DIALOGUE

- BY ASHFAQ AHMED Managing Editor

Afghan refugee girls sit on a truck loaded with their belongings as they wait for the opening of the border crossing point, at a camp in Chaman, Pakistan, yesterday.

(AFP)

Heavy fighting broke out along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border over the weekend, with both countries accusing each other of initiating hostilities in one of the most serious escalations since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.

According to Pakistan’s state media, security forces launched retaliatory operations after “unprovoked firing” by Afghan forces at several locations along the border, including Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, Chitral, and Bahram Chah.

Pakistan military reportedly used artillery, tanks, and drones to target Afghan positions, saying it captured 19 Afghan border posts from where the attacks were launched.