Pakistan captures 19 Afghan posts in retaliatory strikes; Saudi Arabia, Qatar express concern over border clashes
PM Shehbaz slams Kabul’s unprovoked aggression, lauds Pakistan Army for befitting response
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani forces retaliated swiftly, striking Afghanistan’s border posts and terrorist hideouts across multiple border points overnight, destroying several Afghan posts, capturing 19, and inflicting heavy losses on troops and militants, the security sources on Sunday.
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 others.
The Afghan forces’ firing was aimed at helping Khawarij formations cross the border into Pakistan, according to security sources. They confirmed that Pakistan Army’s alert border posts responded with full force, engaging the attacking positions effectively.
Afghan forces were thrown into panic and reportedly requested Pakistan to stop its heavy retaliatory action after multiple Afghan posts, including Duran Mela and Turkmanzai camps, were blown apart.
Pakistani forces also struck Shahidan post, inflicting heavy losses on Afghan troops and militants, and levelled posts in Kurram and Jandosar.
Censuring Afghanistan’s aggression, President Asif Ali Zardari said that the war on terrorism is a shared responsibility and the burden cannot be placed on any one country.
Stressing that Pakistan will not compromise on its national sovereignty, President Zardari said that the country wanted to see a stable and prosperous Afghanistan and said that it expects Kabul not to allow its territory to be used by Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan.
