Afghanistan's defence ministry said on Sunday that its forces had killed 28 fighters and wounded 32 in the eastern province of Nuristan after a group it said included Islamic State militants crossed the border from Pakistan.
In a statement posted on X, the Taliban-run defence ministry confirmed it had engaged the opposing group in clashes on Sunday. It alleged that most of the fighters were former Afghan government security personnel recruited by Pakistan's intelligence services with promises of asylum and well-paid employment in foreign countries.
The ministry claimed the fighters included ISIL (ISIS) fighters supported by Pakistani militias.
Pakistan's Denial
Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting rejected the allegations in a post on X, describing them as "frivolous, baseless and devoid of any truth".
Islamabad denied that its security forces or intelligence agencies were involved in clashes in Nuristan, had recruited or trained former Afghan security personnel, or had facilitated ISIL or other armed groups in Afghanistan.
Pakistan's information ministry also said the Taliban "should take credible and verifiable action against terrorist organisations operating from its territory" and fulfil its obligation so that "Afghan soil will not be used for terrorism against Pakistan or any other country rather than attempting to deflect responsibility through fabricated accusations".
Escalating Tensions
Sunday's clashes follow a sharp rise in tension between the two neighbours. Last week, Pakistan launched air strikes on 10 locations in Afghanistan that it said were used to store and launch drones, some of which were used in cross-border attacks.
The Pakistani air strikes on Thursday killed at least four people, a spokesman for the Afghan Taliban government said, promising to deliver an "appropriate response".
Sunday's incident also follows Pakistani air strikes in Afghanistan on September 21 that Islamabad said killed 28 fighters. Afghan officials said civilians were killed, and the UN mission in Afghanistan confirmed three civilian deaths.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of sheltering fighters who attack its territory, a charge Kabul denies. The latest exchange of accusations points to a further hardening of positions between the two countries after months of cross-border violence.
Sources: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-...rs-killed-after-crossing-pakistan-2026-09-27/ | https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026...s-killed-as-islamabad-kabul-trade-accusations
In a statement posted on X, the Taliban-run defence ministry confirmed it had engaged the opposing group in clashes on Sunday. It alleged that most of the fighters were former Afghan government security personnel recruited by Pakistan's intelligence services with promises of asylum and well-paid employment in foreign countries.
The ministry claimed the fighters included ISIL (ISIS) fighters supported by Pakistani militias.
Pakistan's Denial
Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting rejected the allegations in a post on X, describing them as "frivolous, baseless and devoid of any truth".
Islamabad denied that its security forces or intelligence agencies were involved in clashes in Nuristan, had recruited or trained former Afghan security personnel, or had facilitated ISIL or other armed groups in Afghanistan.
Pakistan's information ministry also said the Taliban "should take credible and verifiable action against terrorist organisations operating from its territory" and fulfil its obligation so that "Afghan soil will not be used for terrorism against Pakistan or any other country rather than attempting to deflect responsibility through fabricated accusations".
Escalating Tensions
Sunday's clashes follow a sharp rise in tension between the two neighbours. Last week, Pakistan launched air strikes on 10 locations in Afghanistan that it said were used to store and launch drones, some of which were used in cross-border attacks.
The Pakistani air strikes on Thursday killed at least four people, a spokesman for the Afghan Taliban government said, promising to deliver an "appropriate response".
Sunday's incident also follows Pakistani air strikes in Afghanistan on September 21 that Islamabad said killed 28 fighters. Afghan officials said civilians were killed, and the UN mission in Afghanistan confirmed three civilian deaths.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of sheltering fighters who attack its territory, a charge Kabul denies. The latest exchange of accusations points to a further hardening of positions between the two countries after months of cross-border violence.
Sources: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-...rs-killed-after-crossing-pakistan-2026-09-27/ | https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026...s-killed-as-islamabad-kabul-trade-accusations
