RAWALPINDI: Pakistani forces have killed more than 200 Afghan Taliban and affiliated terrorists in self-defence action responding to an unprovoked overnight attack by the Taliban forces and India-backed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) alias Fitna al-Khawarij, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Sunday.
In a statement, the military’s media wing said that Pakistani forces carried out “precision fires and strikes, as well as physical raids, directed against Taliban camps and posts, terrorist training facilities and support networks operating from Afghan territory”.”Multiple Taliban locations were destroyed all along the border; 21 hostile positions on the Afghan side of the border were also briefly physically captured and multiple terrorist training camps, used to plan and facilitate attacks against Pakistan, were rendered inoperative,” it added.Pakistan and Afghanistan have been engaged in cross-border skirmishes triggered after Afghan forces opened unprovoked gunfire at several border points, including Angoor Adda, Bajaur, and Kurram, while attacks were also reported in Dir, Chitral, Baramcha, and other areas along the Durand Line.
The escalation between the two neighbours has also prompted reactions from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Iran, with all three countries urging restraint and calling for dialogue.
In a statement, the Saudi foreign ministry said that “reducing tensions is essential for peace and stability in the region.” It also conveyed prayers for the safety and well-being of the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan.The Qatari foreign ministry also voiced concern over the growing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan and stressed the need for them to address differences through calm, dialogue, and diplomatic efforts.
It stressed that easing tensions is vital for peace and stability in the region.Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei has also expressed concern over Pakistan-Afghanistan clashes and called for both sides to hold urgent talks to address the tensions.