Afghanistan claims to have killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in strikes
What's the story
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has promised a "strong and effective response" to recent provocations from Afghanistan. "There will be no compromise on Pakistan's defence, and every provocation will be met with a strong and effective response," Sharif stated, according to AFP. This comes after the Taliban government in Afghanistan claimed that 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed in "retaliatory" strikes on Saturday night.
Defense preparedness
Afghan forces 'fully prepared to defend' borders
Afghanistan's defense minister, Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqub Mujahid, has warned that Afghan forces are "fully prepared to defend" their borders. He said the Taliban government had delivered a "resolute response" to Pakistan's actions. Mujahid also said more than 20 Taliban soldiers were also killed or wounded in the operations. The operations ended by midnight, and Afghan forces also captured three Pakistani security posts during the attack, according to reports from Hurriyat Radio.
Border closure
Pakistan closes main border crossings with Afghanistan
In response to the clashes, Pakistan has closed its main border crossings with Afghanistan. The Torkham and Chaman crossings, along with smaller routes at Kharlachi, Angoor Adda, and Ghulam Khan, have been shut. This decision comes amid Afghan officials accusing Pakistan of bombing Kabul and a market in eastern Afghanistan earlier this week.
Border control
Taliban warns Pakistan of severe response if attacks continue
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Taliban government, said Afghan forces are in complete control of all official borders and de facto lines. He also warned that if Pakistan "repeats its previous mistakes," Kabul's response "will be more severe than before." The situation remains tense between the two countries as they share a 2,611-kilometer border known as the Durand Line.