Daijiworld Media Network - Helmand

Helmand, Oct 12: Taliban forces in Afghanistan’s Helmand province retaliated to Pakistani airstrikes, killing 15 Pakistani soldiers and seizing three military outposts along the Durand Line, officials said. Weapons and ammunition were also captured during the operation.

Mawlawi Mohammad Qasim Riaz, spokesperson for Helmand’s provincial government, said Afghan forces targeted Pakistani posts in Helmand, Kandahar, Zabul, Paktika, Paktia, Khost, Nangarhar, and Kunar following airstrikes on Kabul and Paktika provinces. The Taliban accused Islamabad of violating Afghan sovereignty.

Three explosions were reported on Thursday in Afghanistan, two in Kabul and one in Paktika. Defence ministry spokesman Enayat Khowarazm said operations ended at midnight and warned that Afghan forces would respond firmly to future violations.

Pakistan did not confirm the airstrikes but called on Kabul to stop harbouring Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has claimed responsibility for recent deadly attacks against Pakistani security forces. Islamabad alleges that Afghanistan has failed to expel TTP militants, a claim denied by Kabul.

Tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border continue to escalate amid ongoing clashes and cross-border operations.