Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have sharply escalated following claims of cross-border drone strikes and retaliatory military action. Afghan authorities confirmed they carried out drone operations targeting what they described as Pakistani military installations along the border late Thursday night. The reported strikes allegedly affected multiple provinces, though specific locations and independent verification remain limited.

Pakistan, however, stated that its air defence and anti-drone systems successfully intercepted the incoming drones and reported no casualties or major damage. Officials described the attempted strikes as a violation of sovereignty and warned of further consequences if attacks continue.

Retaliation and Conflicting Casualty Figures

Afghan officials framed the drone operations as retaliation for earlier Pakistani airstrikes, which they claim caused collateral damage within Afghan territory. The Afghan side has also maintained that it possesses evidence linking Afghan-based militants to recent attacks inside Pakistan, though Islamabad disputes this narrative.

Clashes were reported in the Torkham border region in Nangarhar province, an area that has frequently witnessed tensions due to security concerns and militant activity. Afghan defence sources claimed that 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed during the recent confrontations, along with eight Afghan soldiers.

Pakistani officials rejected these figures. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that two Pakistani soldiers were killed and three injured, dismissing Afghan casualty claims as exaggerated. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s leadership asserted that more than 100 Afghan fighters were killed during retaliatory operations. The starkly differing accounts underscore the difficulty in independently verifying battlefield developments.

Declaration of “Open War”

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif reportedly described the situation as an “open war,” reflecting the severity of the current hostilities. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office also denied claims that Pakistani personnel had been captured during the clashes.

The deteriorating security situation follows earlier border incidents in October that resulted in multiple casualties. While diplomatic interventions had previously helped broker a fragile ceasefire, recent developments indicate a renewed breakdown in communication and trust between the two neighbours.

International Calls for Restraint

The escalating violence has prompted concern from the international community. The United Nations, along with regional actors such as Iran and China, has urged both Islamabad and Kabul to exercise restraint, protect civilians, and return to diplomatic dialogue.

Previous mediation efforts involving Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia had temporarily reduced tensions, but the latest confrontation highlights ongoing disputes over border security, militant sanctuaries, and mutual accusations of cross-border interference.

Uncertain Path Ahead

With both sides issuing strong statements and reporting sharply conflicting casualty numbers, the situation remains volatile. Analysts warn that continued escalation could destabilize the broader region if diplomatic engagement fails to resume.

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