Taliban Claims Capture of Over 40 Pakistani Border Posts Along Durand Line

The Taliban administration claims that its forces conducted a military operation along the Durand Line last night, capturing more than forty Pakistani border posts and killing 58 Pakistani soldiers.

Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Taliban administration, described the operation as “retaliatory” in a statement released yesterday. However, he did not provide details regarding the motive, exact location, or planning of the military action.

He added that during the clashes, nine Taliban-affiliated individuals were also killed and several others were wounded.

This claim by the Taliban comes amid rising border tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan in recent months, which have repeatedly led to exchanges of fire between the two sides. The Durand Line, the official border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, has long been a contentious issue between the two countries.

While the Taliban administration lacks international legitimacy, its involvement in cross-border military conflicts could have worrying implications for regional stability. So far, Pakistani officials have not officially responded to these allegations.