| The Taliban-led Afghan government announced it would retaliate after Pakistan carried out airstrikes on the night of December 24 on Afghan territory. (Source: Al Jazeera/AP) |
Local media reported that on December 28, violent clashes broke out between Afghan and Pakistani border guards at border crossings, killing 12 Pakistani soldiers and 19 Afghan civilians.
Sources said that Afghan border guards torched several Pakistan military posts in Ali Shir district of Khost province and occupied two Pakistani posts in Dand-e-Patan district of Paktia province.
Sources said three Afghan civilians were killed by mortar shells fired by Pakistani soldiers in Dand-e-Patan district.
These clashes took place after airstrikes carried out by the Pakistani army in Paktika province on the night of December 24, killing 12 people, including women and children.
The current tensions make the already difficult relationship between Pakistan and the Taliban government in neighboring Afghanistan even more strained.
Islamabad has repeatedly accused Kabul of creating conditions for terrorist groups to attack its territory. While the Taliban believe that Pakistan is responsible for its own security situation.
In January this year, Iran and Pakistan also carried out airstrikes on each other’s territories under the pretext of preventing terrorism.
