Pakistan's military stated that 23 of its troops were killed and over 200 Taliban and affiliated individuals on the Afghan side died in border clashes overnight. The announcement came this morning as tensions persist along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. In the Kurram tribal district, locals were observed heading towards the borders, with one report describing the scene as tribals carrying on as usual and turning the situation into a display of "fun," reminiscent of local brawls during sectarian infighting. Meanwhile, in Afghanistan's White Boldak district of Kandahar, reports indicated that the Taliban had deployed reinforcements, including military vehicles, since noon, and stated they are preparing to respond to Pakistan's airstrikes on Kabul. These developments follow earlier reports from this morning and yesterday detailing significant border clashes. Pakistan claimed to have captured 21 Afghan posts and destroyed several, inflicting over 200 casualties on Afghan soldiers while reporting 23 soldiers killed and 29 injured. The Pakistani military also released strike videos and footage of captured posts. Earlier this morning, between 11:05 AM and 11:34 AM UTC, the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) released a video detailing Pakistan's military strikes on Afghanistan. This occurred amidst ongoing border tensions and statements from Afghanistan's Foreign Minister, Muttaqi, in New Delhi, who said, "Pakistan Should Introspect, Not Point Fingers," referencing the Durand Line. Social media reports also indicated Pakistani forces engaged Afghan Ashraf Sar Post with artillery fire. Qatar had urged restraint following heightened tensions where Pakistani forces conducted retaliation against Afghan Taliban firing, leading to the Taliban abandoning their posts after their third ceasefire request was rejected, according to social media reports. Footage shared on X showed Pakistani soldiers at an Afghan post, with Afghan uniforms and weapons visible, suggesting the Taliban had fled their positions. Pakistan's Defense Minister Ishaq Dar had described the actions as a "befitting response" to "unprovoked firing and raids" by the Afghan Taliban, aimed at neutralizing terrorist elements operating from Afghan soil. Previous reports also noted that Afghanistan's Taliban government spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, had previously accused Pakistan of harboring ISIS elements and planning future attacks. The Taliban's actions are described as a response to indiscriminate firing by the Afghan Taliban on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
