KHOST, Afghanistan: Residents in Khost city in Afghanistan have rallied behind Taliban forces following a weekend of fierce border clashes with Pakistan, expressing both defiance and calls for negotiation amid a backdrop of escalating bilateral tensions.
Pakistan carried out an air strike on the Afghan capital of Kabul last week, which targeted the head of the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), militant group, according to Pakistani security officials. It is not clear if he survived. Late on Saturday, Taliban forces attacked Pakistani military posts along the length of the 2,600 km (1,600 miles) border, with Pakistani forces later retaliating. Guns, artillery and drones exchanged fire into the early hours of Sunday. Some sporadic fighting continued on Sunday.
The Pakistan military said it lost 23 soldiers and had “neutralized more than 200 Taliban and affiliated terrorists.” The Taliban, however, said nine fighters died on their side and alleged that 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed, figures that Islamabad denies. Border crossings including Torkham and Chaman were shut down, halting trade and movement.
“Several days ago, Pakistan, against international law, attacked and violated Afghanistan’s territory. Our security forces, to defend our land and country, were forced to carry out counterattacks against Pakistan,” said Rashidullah Hamdard, a Khost resident.
