Casualties as Taliban, Pakistani forces exchange fire along border

By Bilal Guler

KABUL, Afghanistan (AA) - The Afghan Taliban on Wednesday confirmed a cross-border exchange of fire with Pakistani forces, causing casualties on both sides.

Pakistani forces wanted to establish a military post near the border district of Dand Wa Patan in Afghanistan's eastern Paktia province, Taliban spokesman Bilal Karimi said on Twitter. He added that Pakistani forces opened fire when Taliban forces approached to discuss the matter.

Karimi said the Taliban responded to the fire, and casualties were reported on both sides.

The spokesperson said a military post cannot be established "in principle" in areas near the Durand Line, which Pakistan treats as an international frontier but the Afghan authorities do not recognize the demarcation.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani military in a statement late Tuesday said three of its soldiers were killed when "terrorists" opened fire on troops from across the fenced border.

According to the ISPR, the military's public relations wing, troops were patrolling the fenced border in Kurram district of western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province when they were attacked by gunmen from Afghanistan.

The ISPR said retaliatory fire from troops resulted in heavy losses across the border.

It condemned "the use of Afghan soil by terrorists for anti-Pakistan activities," adding that it expects Kabul to prevent such activities in the future.

Since retaking power last August, the Taliban have occasionally clashed with Pakistani and Iranian forces primarily due to border disputes.