Afghanistan, Pakistan trade fire at border

ISLAMABAD — Afghanistan and Pakistan exchanged fire on Tuesday evening at multiple locations along their shared border, Pakistani security sources told Xinhua News Agency.

The security sources said skirmishes took place in the areas of Bazar Zakhakhel, Waragha, Maro Sar and Shako.

"Heavy weapons were used by both sides," said the sources, adding that no casualties had been reported so far.

Earlier in the evening, Mosharraf Zaidi, Pakistani prime minister's spokesman for foreign media, said Afghan forces had initiated "unprovoked firing" along the border in Torkham and Tirah areas.

In a post on X, Zaidi said Pakistan's security forces responded "immediately and effectively", warning that any further provocation would be met with a severe response.

Sediqullah Nusrat, deputy spokesman of the Afghanistan Ministry of Defense, told Xinhua that the confrontation erupted when Pakistani forces opened fire on Afghan personnel who were conducting routine patrols in the area.

Earlier, Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Afghan government, said Kabul would respond to airstrikes carried out by Pakistan on Sunday.

Afghanistan said Islamabad carried out airstrikes on Sunday near the border, killing 18 people and injuring five others.

Pakistan said on Sunday that it had carried out intelligence-based, targeted strikes on seven militant camps and hideouts in the border region following a series of suicide bombings, killing more than 80 terrorists.

Xinhua