58 Pakistani soldiers killed in Afghan retaliatory operations: Mujahid

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) says Afghan forces killed 58 Pakistani soldiers and captured around 20 security posts during operations along the Durand Line on Saturday night.

The operations followed Pakistani airstrikes on Kabul and Margha Bazaar in Barmal district, Paktika province, on Thursday night.

Zabihullah Mujahid, chief spokesman for IEA, said today in a press conference in Kabul: “The sound that was heard in the city of Kabul two nights ago was investigated. It was determined that no incident had actually occurred on the ground. Later, experts who had expertise in this area confirmed that airplanes had come, and the airplanes in the air produced a sound similar to an explosion. Of course, their goal was to cause fear, and it was itself a violation of the airspace.”

In retaliation, IEA forces launched attacks on Pakistani military positions along the Durand Line in Kandahar, Helmand, Zabul, Nangarhar, Paktia, Paktika and Khost provinces.

Mujahid said the operations were carried out along the entire Durand Line in response to Pakistan’s violations of Afghan territory.

He added that more than 20 Pakistani posts were captured, 58 soldiers killed, and around 30 injured.

“Up to nine of our Mujahideen were martyred, 16 to 18 wounded, and enemy weapons and equipment were seized,” Mujahid said.

According to him, the operations were halted around midnight following requests from Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

However, he noted that firing on Afghan positions resumed in some areas on Sunday morning, escalating the conflict.

sa