7 to 8 Taliban fighters killed in border clash with Pakistani forces

Seven to eight Taliban fighters were killed along the Durand Line in the Upper Kurram district on Saturday, when Afghan Taliban forces attacked Pakistani border posts in the Ghozgarhi, Matha Sangar, Kot Ragha, and Tari Mengal areas with both light and heavy weapons, according to the Dawn report.

According to security sources, one Pakistani soldier was killed and 11 others were injured in the incident, as reported by Dawn. However, the Taliban forces have claimed that 19 Pakistani soldiers were killed in the retaliatory strikes.

The Taliban forces deployed both light and heavy weaponry to attack border posts in the areas of Ghozgarhi, Matha Sangar, Kot Ragha, and Tari Mengal, according to the Dawn report.

According to a sources cited by Dawn, TTP militants attempted to cross into Pakistani territory through Taliban checkpoints on Friday night but were unsuccessful. They were reportedly involved in retaliatory actions alongside the Taliban.

“After the infiltration attempt failed, militants and Afghan forces jointly opened fire on Pakistani posts with heavy weapons on Saturday morning. The firing was effectively responded to, and there are confirmed reports of heavy losses on the Afghan side, with over 15 militants dead and many others wounded,” a source stated as cited by the Dawn.

This came after the recent airstrike by the Pakistani military in Afghanistan’s Barmal district, located in Paktika province on December 24, which resulted in the death of 46 people, including women and children, and also injured six in the process.

The Pakistani military stated that the airstrikes targeted Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) bases in the region, reportedly killing multiple militants and destroying four TTP facilities, according to a Khaama Press report citing Pakistani media outlets aligned with the military.

The Taliban’s Ministry of Defence disputed the claim that the airstrike exclusively targeted militants, stating that it also impacted “Waziristani refugees.” This escalation in violence has heightened tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with the Taliban issuing a warning of potential retaliation, according to Khaama Press.