Video: Afghanistan Claims It Shot Down Pakistani F-16, Soldier Reportedly Captured

Islamabad: The tension on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border has now become like an open war. According to the Afghan government's claim, Afghan security forces have shot down a Pakistani F-16 fighter plane and also captured several Pakistani soldiers. The Afghan Defense Ministry says that this action has been taken in response to recent attacks by Pakistan.

Did Afghan army really shoot down F-16?

In an official statement, Afghan spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the Pakistani plane was entering Afghan airspace and was targeted. He also claimed that in this conflict Pakistani posts were also damaged and some soldiers were captured.

However, this claim has not yet been independently confirmed by any international or third-party agency. In the past too, such claims and videos have gone viral on social media, which are either old or out of context. Such old claims have been rejected earlier by media and fact checking agencies.

What is the difference between the claims on both sides?

The Afghan Defense Ministry said 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed and several were injured or captured in the clash. According to Pakistan's claim, only two soldiers have died and it has been denied that any soldier has been captured. Pakistan in its response has said that it targeted several positions of Taliban and Afghan army and is retaliating.

What is happening in Kabul and Kandahar?

After the incident, Pakistan Army has also carried out air strikes in big areas like Kabul and Kandahar, due to which there have been reports of explosions in civilian areas there. Both countries have talked about heavy shelling and clashes on the border.

Can this border dispute escalate somewhere else?

This tension near the Durand Line has already been going on for a long time. Several clashes have been recorded between the two sides in the last weeks. Meanwhile, tension seems to be increasing on the Afghan border and appeals are being made at the international level to maintain peace.

Afghan forces reportedly shot down Pakistani F-16 aircraft and captured several soldiers. The ongoing conflict between the two countries has widened the internal gap, and the regional security situation remains tense.