Dozens of Soldiers and Civilians Killed in Fresh Clashes on Pakistan-Afghanistan Border

Fresh clashes on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border have resulted in the deaths of dozens of soldiers and civilians, according to reports quoting security officials from both sides on Wednesday. Just hours after the first reports of fighting along the border, Pakistan carried out an airstrike in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province, as reported by Reuters citing officials from both countries.

The Pakistani military stated that it had foiled two attacks by the Afghan Taliban on major border posts in the southwest and northwest. According to AFP, about 20 Taliban fighters were killed early Wednesday in attacks near Spin Boldak on the Afghan side of the border in southern Kandahar province.

The report, quoting the military, added that “unfortunately, the attack was carried out in divided villages of the region, with no regard for civilian populations.” The Pakistani army also stated that around 30 more Taliban fighters are believed to have been killed in overnight clashes along the northwestern border.

Afghan officials told the news agency that 15 civilians were killed and dozens injured in the latest violence along the border between the two countries.

Reuters, quoting security officials, reported that six Pakistani paramilitary personnel were killed and as many injured in a clash between soldiers and militants in Pakistan’s border district of Orakzai. Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid accused the Pakistani military of once again launching attacks in the district using both light and heavy weaponry.

This incident follows a recent confrontation between the two countries over the weekend, when Afghanistan reportedly retaliated against Pakistan. That retaliation was in response to an earlier attack in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, for which Pakistan had blamed Afghanistan.