Security sources say Pakistani forces targeted Afghan Taliban border posts and mortar positions with artillery and heavy weapons after firing in the Kurram sector.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani security forces responded with artillery and mortar fire after Afghan Taliban forces allegedly opened unprovoked fire on Pakistani border posts in the Kurram sector, according to security sources.
The sources said Afghan Taliban forces targeted Pakistani positions with heavy weapons, mortars and other arms. In response, Pakistani security forces targeted several Afghan Taliban border posts, mortar positions and defensive positions using small and heavy weapons, including artillery.
Security sources said the Afghan Kharchaar Fort was also targeted with artillery and mortar fire. They claimed that several members of Fitna Al-Khawarij were killed during the exchange.
The sources further said the Pakistani response forced Afghan Taliban personnel to abandon several posts and withdraw from the area.
The latest development follows an infiltration attempt into the Kurram sector that Pakistani security forces said they had foiled earlier in the week. According to Pakistani security sources, the attempted infiltration was launched from Afghan Taliban positions in Nangarhar and Paktia provinces.
Following the failed infiltration attempt, the sources said, Afghan Taliban forces opened fire on Pakistani border posts with heavy weapons and mortars. Pakistani forces then responded by targeting the positions from which the firing was carried out.
Pakistan’s state media and local news reports have similarly reported that security forces targeted multiple Afghan Taliban border and defensive positions with artillery following the firing. The reports said several Afghan Taliban personnel abandoned their posts after the retaliatory action.
Security sources said the situation along the border is being closely monitored and that Pakistani forces remain alert and prepared to respond to any further provocation.
The latest exchange comes amid heightened tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, where Islamabad has repeatedly raised concerns about cross-border militant activity. Recent incidents have included attempted infiltration and exchanges of fire between forces on the two sides.
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