Fighting along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border has intensified, raising fears of a full-scale conflict. The Ministry of Defense of the Afghan Islamic Emirate has confirmed that Afghan forces have captured eight Pakistani military posts. Afghan spokesperson Inatullah Khwarazemi reported that approximately 150 Pakistani soldiers were killed and over 200 injured in the retaliatory operations.
Afghan troops established control over posts in Spin Boldak and Shorbak districts. They also advanced into the Gulistan area of Kandahar and the Green Dam region of Zabul. In Zazai Maidan district of Khost, local residents reportedly supported Afghan forces, warning that thousands of youths are ready to fight against Pakistani military rule if permitted by the Islamic Emirate.
Pakistani airstrikes and artillery shelling have so far claimed the lives of 110 Afghan civilians. Dozens of homes have been destroyed, leaving around 8,400 families displaced. Afghan spokesperson Hamdullah Faturat appealed to the United Nations and human rights organizations to pressure Pakistan to stop targeting civilians.
Over six days of fighting, 35 Pakistani security posts have reportedly been destroyed. The Ministry stated that Afghan forces will continue retaliatory operations until Pakistan ends its military actions.
Pakistan alleges that Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups operate training camps in Afghan territory and carry out ambushes from there. Afghan authorities have rejected these claims, asserting that no foreign attack will succeed on Afghan soil.
The United Nations and the European Union have called for an immediate ceasefire. According to UNAMA, at least 42 civilians have been killed and dozens injured in the cross-border clashes so far.
