At least 20 civilians were killed and 80 others wounded when Pakistani forces opened fire in the Spin Boldak district of southern Kandahar province early Wednesday, officials said.
The clash, which has since stopped, also caused casualties among Pakistani forces, though exact figures have not yet been confirmed.
According to sources, Pakistani troops initiated the assault around 4:00 a.m., prompting a strong retaliatory response from Afghan border forces.
District Information Director Ali Mohammad Haqmal confirmed that Pakistani shelling had resulted in the deaths of at least 20 civilians and injuries to 80 more.
Pajhwok Afghan News obtained an audio recording of an Afghan soldier addressing Pakistani troops, stating: “The aggression was initiated by your side. You have violated the ceasefire.”
The soldier added that Afghan forces would not permit the transfer of Pakistani casualties until receiving orders from senior officials.
Officials said the fighting halted after a request for a ceasefire from the Pakistani side.
Due to the clashes, large numbers of residents from Wesh Bazaar in Spin Boldak fled to safer areas within the district.
Last Thursday night, Pakistani forces reportedly carried out airstrikes in the Marghi Bazaar area of Barmal district in southeastern Paktika province, violating Afghanistan’s airspace. An explosion was also heard in Kabul.
Following that attack, Afghanistan forces launched retaliatory strikes on Pakistani border posts along the Durand Line in Kandahar, Helmand, Zabul, Nangarhar, Paktia, Paktika, and Khost provinces.
Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban chief spokesman, said Afghan forces captured around 20 Pakistani border posts during the retaliatory operations, killing 58 Pakistani soldiers and wounding about 30 others.
kk/sa
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