RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Army gave a strong and immediate response to unprovoked firing from the Afghan side late Saturday night, resulting in the destruction of several Afghan border posts and the deaths of dozens of Afghan soldiers and militants, according to security sources.
The firing from Afghan forces targeted Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, Chitral, and Baramcha (Balochistan). Security officials said the attacks were aimed at helping Khawarij militants trying to cross into Pakistan.
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Pakistan’s alert and well-equipped border posts reacted swiftly, using artillery, tanks, drones, and heavy weapons to target Afghan positions and militant hideouts. Multiple Afghan posts were destroyed, while Taliban fighters fled their posts, leaving behind bodies and equipment.
The operation also targeted Daesh and Fitna al-Khawarij sanctuaries inside Afghanistan that were reportedly being supported by certain Afghan military elements. Security sources said the Afghan side suffered heavy losses and failed to provide cover fire to militants.
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Officials noted that the aggression from Afghanistan came at a time when Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi was visiting India — a development viewed with concern in Islamabad.
In New Delhi, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar announced that India would upgrade its technical mission in Kabul to a full embassy, marking the first major diplomatic step since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
Analysts see the timing as significant, with India deepening engagement with Kabul while tensions rise along the Pakistan-Afghan border.
Pakistan has repeatedly urged Afghanistan to prevent its territory from being used for cross-border terrorism, warning that any aggression will meet a decisive response.