Border tensions rise: 'Heavy clashes' against Pakistan on border areas with Afghanistan, says Taliban; calls it 'retaliation for air strikes'

The Taliban forces said "heavy" clashes erupted along the Afghanistan- Pakistan borde. The details on nature of the clash or the exact magnitude remains unclear. Pakistan has also not confirmed any details around the same.

“In retaliation for the air strikes by Pakistani forces,” Taliban border forces in the east “engaged in heavy clashes against Pakistani forces’ posts in various border areas,” the Afghan military said in a statement, quoted by AFP.

This comes after the recent tense situation prevailing between the two nations.

The Taliban government on Friday accused Pakistan of carrying out airstrikes on a border town, alleging a breach of Afghanistan ’s sovereignty after two late-night explosions in Kabul. “Pakistan violated Afghanistan’s airspace, bombing a civilian market in the Marghi area of Paktika near the Durand Line and also violating Kabul’s sovereign territory,” the defence ministry said in a social media post.

"This is an unprecedented, violent, and provocative act, we strongly condemn this violation of Afghan airspace, and defending our territory is our right," the statement added.

The alleged attack comes as Taliban's foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi visited New Delhi.

Meanwhile, late Thursday, Afghanistan spokesperson Zabihullah said an explosion was heard in Kabul, but no damage was reported and investigations were ongoing. Then, on Friday, India and Afghanistan described Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism as a “shared threat” to both nations.


(More details to follow)