Pakistan Army Makes BIG Claim; Says 22 Afghan Targets Attacked, 274 Taliban Fighters Killed

Islamabad: The ongoing conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan is becoming increasingly bloody. Following an Afghan counterattack on Thursday night, Pakistan launched another attack. Regarding these attacks, the Pakistani Army stated that 22 Afghan military bases were attacked Thursday night and early Friday morning.

What did Pakistan Army claim about Taliban casualties?

The Pakistan Army has claimed that the airstrikes have killed approximately 274 Afghan Taliban fighters. The Pakistan Army also acknowledged the deaths of at least 12 Pakistani soldiers. The Afghan Taliban, on the other hand, claimed that approximately 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed in their attacks.

Pakistan Army spokesman Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, speaking to the media, stated that the entire operation is being conducted under the directives of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. "So far, 274 Afghan fighters have been killed, while Pakistan has also lost 12 soldiers. The Pakistani Army spokesman also urged the Afghan Taliban to hold elections. He said, "I want to make one thing very clear. The Afghan Taliban will have to choose between aligning with terrorist organizations like the TTP, BLA, Daesh, and al-Qaeda, or with Pakistan. Pakistan has already made this clear," he said.

What did Shahbaz Sharif say?

Earlier, a statement issued from the office of Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif quoted him as saying, "There should be zero tolerance for the collusion between the Fitna-al-Khawarij and the Afghan Taliban and their malicious activities. The actions of the Afghan Taliban and Fitna-al-Khawarij against Pakistan are unacceptable." He added that Pakistan's armed forces, under the leadership of Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, are prepared to defend the country at all times. Pakistan knows how to defend itself against any aggression. In addition to the Pakistani Army, the Foreign Ministry also issued a statement on the matter, saying that if the Afghan Taliban engage in any further provocative action, they will be given a befitting reply.

Pakistan, which has consistently accused Afghanistan of harboring TTP fighters, bombed several areas in Afghanistan. This was followed by retaliatory attacks from the Afghan Taliban on Thursday night and early Friday morning. The Pakistani military responded. Residents who recently evacuated from the Pakistani border told local media that they heard shelling and gunfire in Torkham. Following overnight Pakistani bombardment, Afghan troops were seen advancing toward the border. Significantly, this conflict, which has been ongoing for several months, is now on the verge of becoming a war.