On the fifth day of fighting between the Taliban and Pakistan, both sides reported heavy casualties. The Taliban claimed that more than 100 Pakistani personnel had been killed since the start of the conflict.
Pakistan, in turn, said 415 Taliban and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan members had been killed. The Taliban said the fighting was ongoing.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed that Pakistani fighter jets bombed areas in Paktika, Paktia, Khost and Kunar provinces on the fifth day of fighting.
Sources told Afghanistan International that a Taliban border brigade near Jalalabad in Nangarhar Province was targeted in an airstrike.
The Taliban also confirmed that Pakistani jets entered the airspace of Kabul and that their forces opened fire at them.
The Taliban’s Defence Ministry said it had destroyed a Pakistani armoured tank in the Shkin district of Paktika. The ministry also claimed to have targeted a Pakistani military commissariat in Dand-e-Patan district of Paktia.
Hamdullah Fitrat, a deputy spokesperson for the Taliban, said that three children were killed and three others wounded in a Pakistani strike on a refugee camp in Khas Kunar. Pakistan has not commented on the allegation.
For the third consecutive night, residents in Panjshir, and Kapisa provinces reported hearing aircraft and explosions.
Late on Monday night, Pakistani fighter jets again bombed a Taliban border brigade near Jalalabad.
The Taliban’s Defence Ministry also said Taliban and Pakistani forces clashed late at night in Spin Boldak, claiming three Pakistani soldiers were killed, one captured and a border post seized.
Russia offered to mediate between the Taliban and Pakistan, while China called on both sides to exercise restraint.
United Kingdom, in talks with Taliban officials, stressed that war is not a solution and that disputes should be resolved through negotiations.
The United Nations called for an immediate halt to the violence and the protection of civilians.
Asif Ali Zardari told parliament that the Taliban had crossed a “red line” and that Islamabad had delivered a clear message in response.
Ishaq Dar, Pakistan's foreign minister, said that after negotiations failed, Pakistan was compelled to launch a military operation named “Ghazb lil Haq.”
