Kabul, March 20 (NationPress) - Farid Dehqan, the spokesperson for Khas Kunar police command, has leveled accusations against the Pakistani military for allegedly executing rocket strikes in Afghanistan's Kunar province, as reported by local media on Friday.

Dehqan indicated that the Pakistani military launched approximately 25 artillery shells in various regions of Nari district last night. Ongoing heavy artillery fire has also been documented by Afghanistan's Ariana News. Such actions by Pakistan have been noted despite an official announcement from Islamabad declaring a temporary cessation of military operations for Eid.

Previously, Afghanistan's Chief of Armed Forces, Fasihuddin Fitrat, condemned the Pakistani military for breaching the ceasefire along the Durand Line, according to local media reports.

Statements from Afghanistan's Ministry of Defence have indicated that numerous fatalities occurred due to assaults by Pakistani forces in border regions. Fitrat characterized Pakistan's persistent attacks, even during the ceasefire, as demonstrating a profound lack of commitment and a facade of peace from Islamabad, as noted by Ariana News.

He emphasized that Afghanistan has held back from retaliatory measures to avoid exacerbating the situation, maintaining its commitment to the ceasefire. However, he cautioned that if such assaults continue, the ceasefire would lose its significance, and the Taliban would deliver a decisive counteraction in response to Pakistan's provocations.

On Wednesday, Afghanistan announced a pause in its 'Rad al-Zulm' defensive operations for Eid, which was requested by mediating nations such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey. Pakistan also declared a temporary suspension of military operations for Eid, with Information Minister Ataullah Tarar attributing the decision to the requests made by regional mediators.

Contrary to these declarations, officials reported that Pakistani military units fired over 70 artillery shells in Kunar province. Zia-ur-Rahman Spin Ghar, who heads the information department at Kunar’s Department of Information and Culture, confirmed that 35 shells were targeted at several locations, including Barikot, Dokalam, and Tsongalai in Narai district, while an additional 37 shells impacted parts of Manogai district. Authorities have advised residents to remain vigilant and seek refuge in safer areas as the situation is closely monitored.

In recent weeks, tensions have sharply escalated between Afghanistan and Pakistan, fueled by airstrikes, artillery exchanges, and mutual accusations.

The latest wave of hostilities commenced when Taliban-led Afghan forces retaliated against Pakistani military positions on February 27, following a series of actions by Pakistan inside Afghan territory on February 21.

In response to Afghanistan's actions, Pakistan initiated 'Operation Ghazab lil-Haq' (Righteous Fury), which it described as a reaction to what it termed “unprovoked firing” from Afghan forces across several border sectors.