MoD: Targets of Thursday night’s retaliatory operations achieved as planned

KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense says that in a retaliatory operation carried out by the forces of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed, two military bases and 19 outposts were captured, and a significant quantity of military equipment was seized.

The call comes after Pakistani military airstrikes last Saturday night targeted a seminary in Paktika province and a residential house in Bihsud district, Nangarhar province. Seventeen family members, including women and children, were martyred in the Bihsud attack, and several others were injured.

In a statement, the Ministry of Defense said that in response to those attacks, forces of the Islamic Emirate launched heavy assaults at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday against Pakistani military outposts across the Durand Line near the provinces of Paktika, Paktia, Khost, Nangarhar, Kunar, and Nuristan.

The ministry stated that during the operation, Afghan forces killed 55 Pakistani soldiers, captured two bases and 19 outposts, and forced Pakistani troops to flee from four additional positions.

Regarding the casualties, the statement said that the bodies of some Pakistani soldiers were transferred into Afghanistan by Islamic Emirate fighters, while others were captured alive and many reportedly escaped.

The ministry added that dozens of light and heavy weapons, along with ammunition and other military equipment, were seized during the operation. It also said one tank was destroyed and a large vehicle used to transport Pakistani troops was captured.

According to the statement, eight Islamic Emirate fighters were killed and 11 others were wounded during the clashes.

The ministry further reported that 13 civilians were wounded in a rocket attack on a refugee camp in Nangarhar, including women and children.

The statement concluded that all designated operational targets were achieved as planned and that the fighting was halted at midnight by order of the Chief of Army Staff of the Islamic Emirate.

sa