Military forces from Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged fire for a fifth consecutive day, with both sides confirming strikes on border positions amid one of the heaviest escalations in years.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Pakistan and Afghanistan continued targeting each other’s border installations on March 2 as their armed confrontation entered a fifth day, marking one of the most intense periods of fighting between the neighboring countries in recent years.
While international attention remains focused on developments in the Middle East, sustained hostilities along the Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier have resulted in mounting casualties and claims of expanded military engagement by both governments.
According to reporting by Reuters, “The intensity of the clashes, however, appeared to be lower than when it began although there were no signs that the allies-turned-foes were seeking to step back and make peace.”
The current round of fighting began after Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government launched what it described as retaliatory strikes on Pakistani positions. The Taliban said the action was in response to Pakistan targeting militant groups inside Afghan territory.
Reuters reported that dozens of people have been killed on both sides. Pakistan has used fighter jets to launch air-to-ground missiles at Taliban military sites and has directly targeted Afghan government positions for the first time, citing allegations that Kabul harbors militants seeking to destabilize Islamabad.
Video circulated on social media by WION described Afghan claims that several key Pakistani installations were struck, including an air base near Islamabad.
In a separate post dated February 24, the account identifying itself as the Afghanistan Army wrote, “The war with Pakistan has Started. Pray for Afghanistan. Pakistani Fighter Jet Destroyed,” accompanying the statement with video footage.
Taliban officials stated that Afghan forces destroyed a Pakistani armored vehicle in Paktika province after accusing Pakistani forces of firing shells “indiscriminately” into Afghan territory.
Defense ministry spokesperson Enayatullah Khowarazmi said Afghan forces had killed more than 100 enemy personnel and captured more than 25 Pakistani military posts. He also said Pakistani jets attempted to bomb Bagram air base outside Kabul late Sunday but were repelled by Russian-made ZU-23 anti-aircraft guns. Afghan police reported no casualties or financial losses from that incident.
Clashes between the two countries occur periodically along their disputed border, but observers describe the current exchanges as the most severe in years. Despite a reported reduction in intensity compared to the opening days of the confrontation, neither side has indicated a willingness to de-escalate.
No formal ceasefire discussions have been announced, and both governments continue to issue statements defending their respective military actions as necessary responses to security threats along the frontier.
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