Taliban retaliates after air strikes, claims 40 Pakistani soldiers killed, 15 outposts captured

Kabul: Afghan forces attacked Pakistani military positions along the border on Thursday, claiming multiple soldiers were killed or captured in response to recent air strikes.

"Several soldiers have been killed, and a number of them have been caught alive," Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said on X.

In a recent X post, Mujahid reported further casualties in Kunar province:

"Around 40 enemy soldiers were killed in Kunar, with the bodies of 13 transferred by the Mujahideen."

Heavy operations in eastern provinces

The offensive targeted Pakistani bases and outposts in Afghanistan’s eastern provinces of Nangarhar and Kunar. “In response to repeated violations by the Pakistani military, large-scale offensive operations were launched against Pakistani military bases and military installations,” Mujahid added.

Military spokesman Wahidullah Mohammadi said Afghan troops began “heavy attacks on Pakistani outposts” and reported no casualties on the Afghan side so far. Local officials and residents in Kunar confirmed the ongoing military action.

Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman of the Taliban government, said Afghan forces had captured 15 outposts. There was no immediate response from Pakistan regarding these claims.

Rising civilian toll and strained relations

The operation follows Pakistani air strikes on Nangarhar and Paktika provinces overnight into Sunday, which the UN mission in Afghanistan reported killed at least 13 civilians.

The Taliban government stated at least 18 people died in the strikes and disputed Pakistan’s claim that over 80 militants were killed.

Cross-border fire was also reported earlier this week, on Tuesday, but with no casualties. Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have deteriorated sharply in recent months. Most land border crossings remain closed following deadly fighting in October, which killed more than 70 people on both sides.

Islamabad accuses Afghanistan of failing to curb militants carrying out attacks in Pakistan, a charge repeatedly denied by the Taliban government. Pakistan’s recent air strikes followed a series of deadly suicide blasts.