Daijiworld Media Network - Kabul

Kabul, Feb 27: At least 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed in intense cross-border fighting, Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities claimed on Friday, as Pakistan allegedly carried out airstrikes in multiple Afghan cities in a sharp escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

Explosions and the sound of aircraft were reportedly heard in Kabul early Friday, hours after the Taliban said its forces had captured military bases and posts along the disputed Durand Line. Pakistan, however, disputed the casualty figures and maintained that it had inflicted heavy losses on Afghan fighters.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid accused Pakistan of targeting areas in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia.

“The cowardly Pakistani military has carried out airstrikes in certain areas of Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia; fortunately, there have been no reported casualties,” Mujahid wrote on X.

In a detailed press release, Afghanistan’s Ministry of National Defense said the operation began at 8 pm on Thursday, corresponding to the 9th of Ramadan 1447, following what it described as a Pakistani violation of Afghan territory that killed women and children.

“A few days ago, the Pakistani military circles, with great audacity, violated Afghan territory, breached our borders, and martyred women and children here,” the statement said.

According to the ministry, Afghan forces carried out coordinated counterattacks in eastern and southeastern sectors across the Durand Line near Paktika, Khost, Nangarhar, Kunar and Nuristan.

The ministry claimed that during the four-hour battle, two Pakistani military bases and 19 posts were captured, while soldiers allegedly fled from four additional posts.

“In these retaliatory operations along the Durand Line, a total of 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed,” the statement said. It added that some bodies were transferred into Afghanistan, several soldiers were captured alive, and dozens of light and heavy weapons, ammunition and military supplies were seized. One Pakistani tank was reportedly destroyed and a large military transport vehicle captured.

The statement said the fighting ceased at midnight on the orders of the Chief of General Staff after “assigned objectives were achieved.”

Afghan authorities acknowledged casualties on their side, stating that eight Taliban fighters were killed and 11 others injured.

The ministry further said 13 Afghan civilians, including women and children, were injured in what it described as a missile attack on a refugee camp in Nangarhar.

The claims made by both sides could not be independently verified.