Clashes escalate along Afghanistan–Pakistan border, dozens reported killed

Heavy fighting erupted along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border on February 26, with Afghan officials claiming significant Pakistani military losses following retaliatory operations in several eastern provinces.

According to Afghan sources cited by TOLO News, clashes began in the Nazyan district of Nangarhar province near the disputed Durand Line, the border demarcation long rejected by Kabul. A spokesperson for the Taliban’s 201st Army Corps “Khalid ibn Walid” stated that Afghan forces had launched counterattacks against Pakistani border units and captured multiple posts.

Later reports indicated that Afghan forces destroyed at least 15 Pakistani border posts during the operation. Fighting was also reported in the provinces of Kunar, Nuristan, Khost, Paktia, and Paktika, all located near the frontier.

Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that approximately 40 Pakistani servicemen were killed in the clashes and that several others had been taken prisoner. Pakistani authorities have not yet publicly confirmed these figures, and no independent verification of casualties has been provided.

Meanwhile, new reports indicate that Afghan forces have also suffered losses. According to The Associated Press, citing security sources, at least 22 Afghan servicemen were killed in the border clashes. The fighting is reportedly ongoing.

Sources quoted by Associated Press said the Pakistani army is using small arms, artillery, and strike drones in the confrontation.

The escalation follows Pakistani airstrikes carried out on February 22. Islamabad stated that its military targeted positions of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Afghanistan-based branch of the so-called Islamic State, Islamic State – Khorasan Province, in response to recent militant attacks inside Pakistan, including a bombing at a mosque in Islamabad.

Afghan authorities condemned the strikes as a violation of the country’s territorial integrity and reported that dozens of civilians were killed. Kabul described the air raids as “an act of provocation” and warned that it reserved the right to respond decisively.

By Vugar Khalilov