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Analysis · Tragedy · As of

Afghanistan and Pakistan: Mutual Strikes and Dozens Killed on the Border

Afghanistan's Ministry of Defense said it killed 28 militants in Nuristan; Pakistan rejected the accusations. The escalation was accompanied by Islamabad's airstrikes and a terrorist attack in Dera Ismail Khan. Civilians, security forces and suspected militants were killed.

6 events in story8 sourcesVerified · 18/26 claims supported
Afghanistan and Pakistan: Mutual Strikes and Dozens Killed on the Border
Photo: Al Jazeera English

Sources

· 8

Key points

  • Afghanistan's Ministry of Defense said its forces killed 28 people and wounded 32 during an operation against an armed group that infiltrated from Pakistan into Nuristan.
  • Pakistan rejected Kabul's accusations as baseless and called on Afghan authorities to take action against terrorist groups.
  • On Saturday, a suicide bomber attacked a police post in Dera Ismail Khan, killing at least 11 people; the TTP claimed responsibility.
  • On Monday, a Pakistani airstrike on the Nurgal district in Kunar killed three members of the same family and wounded four.

What happened

Afghanistan's Ministry of Defense announced that its forces carried out an operation against an armed group that had infiltrated from Pakistan into Nuristan province. Pakistan's Ministry of Information called the accusations baseless. The clash occurred after Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan territory on September 21.

Why it matters

The escalation was not limited to Nuristan: on Saturday, a suicide bomber attacked a roadside police post in Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The blast killed at least 11 people and wounded 30; among the dead were at least seven security personnel. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan group claimed responsibility for the attack. Earlier, Pakistani airstrikes on the Afghan provinces of Kandahar, Paktia and Khost, according to the Taliban, killed four civilians. The airstrike on the Nurgal district in Kunar destroyed a house and killed three members of the same family.

Earlier

  • Al-Qaeda helped strengthen the TTP's operational and propaganda capabilities, allowing the group to intensify attacks on Pakistani authorities after the Taliban returned to power.
  • Pakistani security agencies are recruiting former Afghan military personnel for counterterrorism operations in Balochistan, RFE/RL reported.
  • Since June, violence has risen sharply in Pashtun areas of Balochistan, including TTP attacks on a customs post in Pishin and an ambush by the Balochistan Liberation Army in Ziarat.

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