Did Taliban Report 12 Afghan Deaths and 100 Injuries in Pakistani Military Strike?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 12 Afghans killed and over 100 injured in a military strike.
- Taliban claims retaliation resulted in Pakistani casualties.
- Escalating tensions along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
- Calls for diplomatic engagement to prevent further conflict.
- Concerns over ISIS-K activities impacting security dynamics.
Kabul, Oct 15 (NationPress) A minimum of 12 individuals have lost their lives and over 100 others have sustained injuries following a military strike conducted by Pakistani forces in the Spin Boldak district of southern Kandahar province, as reported by local media citing the Taliban.
In a statement shared on X, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid claimed that the attack occurred early in the morning, with Pakistani forces employing both light and heavy weaponry.
Mujahid reported that Afghan forces successfully retaliated, resulting in multiple casualties among Pakistani soldiers, according to Afghanistan's prominent news agency Khaama Press.
"Regrettably, this morning, Pakistani forces initiated attacks using various weapons on Afghanistan in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar, leading to the deaths of over 12 civilians and more than 100 injuries. Consequently, Afghan forces had no choice but to respond," Mujahid stated on X.
He added, "In the course of our counter-offensive, multiple Pakistani aggressor soldiers were killed, various posts and centers were seized, and Afghan forces gained control of weapons and tanks, significantly damaging the majority of their military installations. Nevertheless, our mujahideen remain determined and ready to defend their homeland, sanctuaries, and people."
According to Taliban officials, the skirmishes between Pakistani and Afghan forces began around 4 a.m. (local time) and persisted until 8 a.m. (local time).
Local sources indicated that the clashes resulted in casualties on both sides, with significant damage to nearby civilian areas.
Medical personnel in Kandahar reported that at least 25 deceased individuals and over 80 injured were transported to hospitals post-attack.
Officials noted that many victims included women and children from residential zones close to the border. This incident unfolds amid escalating tensions along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, following a series of clashes and aerial assaults in recent days.
Earlier, on Sunday, Mujahid disclosed that 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 30 others injured during a counter-operation executed by Afghan forces along the Durand Line.
He revealed that 20 Pakistani security outposts were annihilated, with numerous weapons confiscated during the operation on Saturday night.
"Nine Afghan soldiers also lost their lives, and 16 others were injured, while 20 Pakistani security outposts fell," Mujahid reported.
He stated that military actions ceased at midnight due to requests from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as reported by Afghanistan-based Tolo News.
Mujahid further claimed that following the defeat of ISIS-K in Afghanistan, they began establishing bases in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region.
He asserted that recent ISIS-K attacks in Afghanistan were orchestrated from these bases and urged the Pakistani government to extradite key ISIS-K figures to Kabul.