Afghan, Pakistani forces clash after Barmal strikes

KABUL (Pajhwok): A clash broke out between Afghan and Pakistani forces near the Durand Line in the southeastern provinces of Khost and Paktia early on Saturday, local sources said.

Local residents told Pajhwok Afghan News that the clash occurred at around 3:00am in the Alisher and Dand-i-Patan districts of Khost and Paktia, along the Durand Line.

A reliable government source in Khost, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that the clash involved both light and heavy weaponry in what appeared to be a retaliatory strike.

The source said that there were no casualties on the Afghan side, but casualties may have occurred on the Pakistani side.

By 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, the situation had reportedly returned to normal, the source noted.

The clash comes three days after Pakistan conducted airstrikes on the Barmal district of Paktika, killing at least 52 people and injuring 40, according to Afghan officials.

Most of the victims were women and children, including local residents and displaced individuals from Waziristan. In response to the airstrikes, the Ministry of Defence vowed to retaliate for the attack.

kk/sa