At least seven to eight Taliban personnel were killed along the Durand Line in Upper Kurram district on Saturday after Afghan Taliban forces launched an attack on Pakistani border posts in the Ghozgarhi, Matha Sangar, Kot Ragha, and Tari Mengal areas, using both light and heavy weaponry, local reports said.
A Pakistani soldier was killed and 11 others were wounded in the assault, according to security sources cited by Dawn. However, the Taliban claimed that 19 Pakistani soldiers were killed in the retaliatory attack.
The skirmish follows recent tensions, including a Pakistani airstrike in Afghanistan’s Paktika province earlier this week. The airstrikes, carried out by Pakistani aircraft in the Barmal district, reportedly killed 46 people and injured six others. Pakistan’s military said the strikes targeted Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) bases, resulting in the death of several militants and the destruction of four TTP bases, according to Khaama Press, news agency ANI reported.
However, the Taliban’s Ministry of Defence disputed Pakistan’s claim, stating that the airstrike also hit Waziristani refugees and not only militants.
On Friday night, TTP militants attempted to cross into Pakistani territory via Taliban checkpoints but were unsuccessful. The following morning, militants and Afghan forces jointly opened fire on Pakistani border posts.
Pakistani forces responded effectively, with reports confirming over 15 Taliban militants killed and several others wounded in the ensuing exchange of fire.
“After the infiltration attempt failed, militants and Afghan forces jointly opened fire on Pakistani posts with heavy weapons on Saturday morning. The firing was effectively responded to, and there are confirmed reports of heavy losses on the Afghan side, with over 15 militants dead and many others wounded,” a source said as quoted by Dawn.
