Three explosions were reported in Afghanistan on Thursday – two in Kabul and one in the southeastern province of Paktika. The Taliban's defense department accused Islamabad of violating the country's sovereignty.
In response to these attacks, which are said to have been carried out by Pakistani fighter jets, Afghan forces have now begun attacking Pakistani positions in the provinces of Helmand, Kandahar, Zabul, Paktika, Paktia, Khost, Nangarhar and Kunar – all located along the disputed border between the countries.
Border closed
The Taliban regime's spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid stated that Afghan forces have captured 25 Pakistani military posts, killed 58 soldiers and injured 30 others.
The major border crossings at Torkham, which connects Pakistan's province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Nangarhar in Afghanistan, as well as Chaman, more than 800 kilometers southwest, have now been closed, according to authorities from both sides.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif condemns "provocations from Afghanistan" along the border during the night.
No compromises
"There will be no compromising when it comes to Pakistan's defense, and every provocation will be met with a strong and effective response", said Sharif in a statement, where he accuses the Taliban government in Afghanistan of allowing its territory to be used by "terrorist elements".
Pakistan's military claims to have lost over 20 soldiers, and also claims that over 200 Taliban and allied fighters on the Afghan side were killed in the clashes at the border during the night until Sunday.
