SECURITY — March 5, 2026

Islamic Emirate Defense Ministry claims effective strikes on Pakistani forces along Durand Line

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan's Defense Ministry claimed retaliatory airstrikes and ground operations along the Durand Line destroyed Pakistani military posts and inflicted heavy casualties. Pakistani officials urged negotiations amid mutual accusations over cross-border security issues.

The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Ariana News2 min read

Islamic Emirate Defense Ministry claims effective strikes on Pakistani forces along Durand Line
Image courtesy Ariana News

The Ministry of National Defense of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan announced that its forces conducted retaliatory attacks day and night prior, in response to aggressions by Pakistani forces. Operations took place along the Durand Line and routes in the provinces of Kandahar, Nangarhar, Kunar, Nuristan, Khost, Paktia, and Paktika, inflicting effective blows on the enemy.

According to the ministry's statement, air forces carried out strikes around 8 a.m. today in the Kachlagh area of Pakistan's Balochistan province targeting the Pakistani military command known as 'Ghazaband,' a subunit of the Frontier Corps. The attacks hit the enemy command office and soldiers' dormitory, killing and wounding dozens of Frontier Corps personnel while causing heavy damage to the buildings.

Over the past 24 hours, several such retaliatory attacks destroyed 12 Pakistani posts and headquarters, killing 41 soldiers and wounding 53 others. Islamic Emirate forces also shot down three enemy unmanned reconnaissance aircraft. On the Afghan side, three fighters were killed and seven wounded in the confrontations.

The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions, with Islamabad claiming that militants use Afghan soil for attacks against Pakistan, a charge denied by the Islamic Emirate, which states Afghanistan is not responsible for Pakistan's security failures.

Separately, Sohail Afridi, Chief Minister of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, called for an all-inclusive delegation from Pakistan—including provincial and federal officials, religious scholars, and tribal elders—to travel to Afghanistan for negotiations with Islamic Emirate officials. Speaking at a project inauguration in Peshawar on Wednesday, Afridi said such a jirga would improve the situation.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with leaders of various parties on the current crisis in Iran and Pakistan-Afghanistan conflicts. The prime minister's office stated that participants emphasized national unity and consensus, with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman advocating diplomacy with regional powers and neighbors, describing dialogue as the key to resolving tensions.

Read the original reporting at Ariana News

Reliability assessment

Single source provides direct on-record statement from the named Afghan Ministry of National Defense with concrete, checkable details including specific locations (Kachlagh in Balochistan, listed Afghan provinces), times (8 a.m. today, past 24 hours), and numbers (12 posts destroyed, 41 killed, 53 wounded, 3 drones downed, Afghan casualties).

The source language reads straight.

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SecurityIslamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Durand Line, Defense Ministry, Balochistan

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