Border Clashes Between Afghanistan and Pakistan Result in Casualties

SadaNews - Renewed armed clashes erupted late at night along the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, resulting in the deaths of 12 Afghan civilians, according to an Afghan government official.

The official stated that eight of the victims died as a result of shelling by Pakistani forces in southeastern Afghanistan areas near the border, while clashes continue between Afghan and Pakistani forces.

Afghan authorities announced the evacuation of homes near the border and the withdrawal of large vehicles from crossings and commercial markets to ensure civilian safety.

For its part, Pakistani security sources reported an attempt by armed men to infiltrate across the border, indicating renewed clashes in four locations, including Kurram and Waziristan as well as Mohmand.

Pakistan continues to close all its border crossings with Afghanistan, notably the strategic Torkham crossing, for the third consecutive day following previous clashes that resulted in casualties on both sides. Following this, Kabul rejected a Pakistani request to send a delegation for negotiations.

In military developments, security sources in Islamabad reported that the Pakistani army destroyed a large training facility for the Pakistani Taliban, while the army remains on high alert since the exchange of gunfire last Saturday, resulting in dozens of casualties on both sides.

It is noteworthy that Kabul announced last Sunday that it targeted several Pakistani military sites and killed 58 soldiers in retaliation for what it described as repeated violations of Afghan territory and airspace, while the Pakistani army reported lower figures, confirming the death of 23 of its soldiers and the destruction of over 200 militants affiliated with the Taliban and armed fighters.

Tensions between the two sides have escalated since last week, with Afghan accusations against Pakistan of conducting airstrikes on its territory, while the latter denies this and asserts that its strikes aim to target hideouts of the Pakistani Taliban, which it claims that Kabul shelters.