Taliban Retaliates Against Pakistan After Air Strikes Kill Eight

Defense News ,Pakistan ,Taliban :- Amid escalating tensions following Pakistan's airstrikes in Afghanistan, the Taliban forces have retaliated by targeting Pakistani military posts along the Durand Line with heavy weaponry, as reported by Afghanistan-based Khaama Press citing the Taliban-led Ministry of Defence.

In an official statement, the Taliban-led Ministry of Defence declared, "In response to this hostile act, Taliban border forces have engaged Pakistani military installations along the artificial border line using heavy arms."

The ministry emphasized Afghanistan's readiness to defend its territorial integrity against any aggressive actions, asserting that the defense and security forces are prepared to respond under all circumstances.

Reports from Khaama Press indicated armed clashes between Taliban forces and Pakistani border guards along the Durand Line. The clashes reportedly commenced at 7 am local time on Monday, prompting residents of Dand Patan to evacuate their homes following rocket fire from Pakistan.

Tensions escalated after Pakistani airstrikes targeted Afghanistan's Khost and Paktika provinces. According to the Taliban-led Ministry of Defence, Pakistani fighter jets violated Afghan airspace, conducting airstrikes in Bermel district of Paktika province and Sepera district of Khost province.

Tragically, at least eight individuals, including women and children, lost their lives in the airstrikes on Monday, as reported by TOLO News. The Taliban condemned these airstrikes as a blatant violation of Afghanistan's sovereignty, with spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid warning of severe repercussions for any further encroachment.

Hamdullah Fitrat, Taliban's deputy spokesperson, strongly condemned the airstrikes, labeling them as an invasion of Afghan territory. Fitrat reiterated the Taliban's commitment to defending their homeland against all forms of aggression, drawing upon Afghanistan's historical struggle for freedom against global superpowers.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Foreign Office defended its actions, stating that the airstrikes were part of "intelligence-based anti-terrorist operations" within Afghanistan's border regions. The operations, according to Pakistan, targeted terrorists affiliated with the Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, responsible for numerous terrorist attacks within Pakistan, resulting in civilian and law enforcement casualties.

Pakistan's Foreign Office highlighted a recent attack on a security post in North Waziristan's Mir Ali, which claimed the lives of seven Pakistani soldiers. The statement underscored Pakistan's determination to combat terrorism along its borders.

The exchange of hostilities underscores the volatile nature of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region, with both sides asserting their sovereignty amidst ongoing tensions and military engagements.