Days after a brief period of calm along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, fresh clashes broke out in the Kurram sector as Pakistani security forces retaliated against unprovoked firing by the Afghan Taliban regime and members of the “Fitna al-Khawarij” militant group, security sources confirmed on Tuesday.
According to sources, Afghan Taliban fighters opened indiscriminate fire on Pakistani positions, prompting a strong and decisive response from the Pakistani army. The retaliatory attacks reportedly caused significant damage to multiple Taliban outposts and fires broke out across the border.
Security officials said two Taliban tanks were destroyed and fighters were seen fleeing their positions, leaving behind several bodies of their fallen comrades. In one of the operations, a moving tank was attacked and destroyed with precision, which sources describe as a “highly professional and skillful attack.” Images of the destroyed tank reportedly exist.
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The latest exchange came after a two-day pause, with sources confirming that another Taliban outpost and a tank position were eliminated in ongoing operations. In intense fighting at Shamshad post, the Army destroyed a fourth tank position within an hour, underscoring the pace and intensity of the response.
Pakistani security forces also reportedly killed a key Fitna al-Khawarij commander during the ongoing action. Militant fighters, both from the Taliban regime and its affiliates, were said to be in a state of panic and disarray, and abandoned their posts in a hurry.
According to security officials, military operations against the Afghan Taliban and Fitna al-Khawarij continue in full force, focusing on eliminating hostile threats near the border and ensuring regional security.
The resumption of fighting follows last week’s clash on the night of October 11-12, when Afghan Taliban forces, supported by “Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Khawarij elements,” launched an unprovoked attack along the border.
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Responding to what it called a “cowardly action,” the Pakistani military said more than 200 Afghan Taliban fighters were killed in overnight clashes, while 23 Pakistani soldiers were martyred, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The statement noted that the skirmishes caused significant damage to the infrastructure of Taliban posts, camps, headquarters and support networks “ranging from tactical to operational depth along the border.”
“In the interest of regional peace and security, Pakistan urges the Taliban government to take prompt and verifiable measures to dismantle terrorist groups – including FAK, FAH and ISKP/Daesh – operating from Afghan soil,” the ISPR added.
Pakistan closed border crossings with Afghanistan on Sunday after exchanges of fire between forces from both sides.
