3 hrs ago
Pakistan Reports Taliban Border Shelling; Kabul Denies Attack
Pakistan says fighters tried to cross its border from Afghanistan.
Pakistani officials say Afghan Taliban forces then fired shells at Pakistani border posts.
Pakistan says its troops fired back at Taliban positions.
Afghanistan's Taliban government denies that its forces attacked Pakistan.
The two countries also disagree about whether militants operate from Afghan territory.
Pakistan recently carried out airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan.
Afghanistan says those strikes killed civilians, while Pakistan said they killed militants.
Regional countries are trying to help the two sides find peace.
The newest accusations could make that effort harder.
Pakistani officials said Afghan Taliban forces shelled Pakistani border posts after an alleged militant infiltration attempt was stopped.
Taliban government spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid denied that Afghan Taliban forces attacked Pakistan.
Pakistan said its troops responded with artillery against Taliban border posts, mortar sites, and defensive positions.
The reported clash follows Pakistani airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan and earlier cross-border fighting.
The accounts could not be independently verified and may further complicate mediation by China, Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
- Who
- Pakistani security forces, Afghan Taliban forces, and militants identified by Pakistan as Fitna-ul-Khawarij, or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
- What
- Pakistan reported that Afghan Taliban forces shelled its border posts after an alleged infiltration attempt, while Kabul denied the attack.
- Where
- Near Pakistan's border with Afghanistan, including areas near Afghanistan's Paktia and Nangarhar provinces.
- When
- The reported shelling occurred overnight, days after Pakistani airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan and earlier border clashes.
- Why
- Pakistani officials said the shelling followed an attempt by militants to enter Pakistan; Kabul denied that Afghan Taliban forces attacked.
Pakistan's account
Kabul's account
Who launched the border attack?
Pakistan's account
Pakistani officials said Afghan Taliban forces shelled Pakistani border posts after Pakistani troops stopped militants trying to cross from Afghanistan.
Kabul's account
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid denied that Afghan Taliban forces carried out any attack.
Militant activity in Afghanistan
Pakistan's account
Pakistan says militants, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and allied groups, operate from Afghan territory and conduct attacks into Pakistan.
Kabul's account
Kabul denies Pakistan's accusations that Afghanistan is allowing anti-Pakistani militants to operate from its territory.
Effects of Pakistan's airstrikes
Pakistan's account
Pakistan's Information Ministry said the strikes killed 28 militants and described them as targeting militant hideouts.
Kabul's account
Afghan authorities said at least three civilians were killed and four wounded; the United Nations mission in Afghanistan confirmed the civilian casualties, and Kabul formally protested.
Key facts
- Reported attackers
- Pakistani officials alleged that Afghan Taliban forces fired mortars and other heavy weapons.
- Afghanistan's response
- Taliban government spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid denied any attack by Afghan Taliban forces.
- Pakistan's response
- Pakistani forces reportedly used artillery against Taliban border posts, mortar sites, and defensive positions.
- Militant infiltration
- Four Pakistani officials said militants attempted to enter Pakistan near Afghan border posts in Paktia and Nangarhar.
- Recent airstrikes
- Pakistan said 28 militants were killed in Monday's strikes; Afghan authorities reported at least three civilian deaths and four injuries.
- Verification
- The officials' accounts could not be independently verified, and they spoke anonymously.
- Mediation efforts
- China, Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia are attempting to help broker lasting peace between Kabul and Islamabad.
Sources
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