KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Local sources report that clashes between Taliban fighters and Pakistani soldiers in eastern Nangarhar province resulted in the deaths of two Taliban members and injuries to three others.
The conflict erupted on Saturday evening in the Gosari area of Gushte district and continued late into the night. A security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that the confrontation began when Taliban forces attempted to establish a post in the area, prompting Pakistani soldiers to open fire.
Both Taliban and Pakistani border guards exchanged fire using light and heavy weaponry, resulting in casualties on both sides. The source confirmed that two Taliban members were killed and three others wounded during the skirmish.
Another local source corroborated these casualties and added that Taliban fighters managed to destroy three Pakistani posts and seize an armored vehicle during the conflict. The situation remains tense, with reports of the Taliban deploying reinforcements equipped with heavy and light weapons to the area.
As of now, officials from both the Taliban and Pakistan have not commented on the incident.
Earlier this month, a similar clash in the border region between Afghanistan’s Khost province and Pakistan’s Kurram district left at least 16 Taliban militants dead and 27 others injured.
Since the Taliban regained power three years ago, tensions between Kabul and Islamabad have escalated, fueled by a surge in cross-border terror attacks and frequent border clashes.
Pakistan has experienced a significant increase in deadly attacks by Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) targeting security forces and civilians. A report by the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) revealed a 65% rise in terrorism-related deaths in Pakistan in 2023, with the TTP being the primary instigator.
Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Taliban of providing sanctuary to TTP militants inside Afghanistan, a claim that the Taliban continues to deny.
