Pakistani forces suffer casualties in Durand Line clash: Officials

GARDEZ (Pajhwok): Pakistan forces suffered ‘significant casualties’ during last night clashes with Afghan forces on the Durand Line in southeastern Paktia and Khost provinces, local officials said on Saturday.

Local officials said at least three civilians were also killed and two others wounded in firing from Pakistani forces in Dand-i-Patan district of Paktia province.

Ministry of Defence spokesman Inayatullah Khawarizmi wrote on his x handle today (Saturday): “From the southeastern direction of the country, retaliatory attacks targeted several hideouts and centres of those malicious elements and their supporters on the other side of the line, from where attacks on Afghanistan were being organized."

However, TOLO News, citing a source in the Ministry of Defense, reported that 19 Pakistani soldiers were killed in the clashes.

A reliable government source in Dand-i-Patan district also confirmed that Pakistan side suffered significant casualties in these clashes.

The source said three nomads lost their lives and two others were wounded in rockets fired by Pakistani forces in Shpula area of Dand-i-Patan district.

Mamoor, a tribal elder from the district, confirmed that the clash occurred near the Durand Line. He said the fighting began around 1:00 am on Friday night and continued until the morning.

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, comprising local residents and displaced Waziristani refugees. In response to the airstrikes, the Ministry of Defence vowed the attack would not go unanswered.

kk/ma