A senior Afghan security official has categorically rejected Pakistan’s assertion that its recent military strikes in Afghanistan resulted in the deaths of approximately 80 militants. Speaking to AFP on Sunday under conditions of anonymity, the source within the Taliban-led government described the casualty figures presented by Pakistani authorities as “false and imaginary.
The dispute centers around cross-border operations conducted by Pakistani forces, which have escalated tensions between the neighboring nations. While Pakistan maintains its operations successfully targeted militant hideouts, Afghan officials present a starkly different account.
According to local authorities in Afghanistan, the strikes resulted in at least 18 confirmed fatalities, including several children. This significant discrepancy in casualty reports highlights the ongoing information warfare accompanying military actions in the restive border region.
International journalists stationed in Afghanistan have been unable to independently verify either side’s claims due to the remote and dangerous nature of the conflict zones. The lack of transparent access to these areas continues to complicate objective assessment of military operations and their outcomes.
The incident represents the latest flare-up in long-standing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan regarding border security and militant activity. Both nations have historically accused each other of insufficient action against armed groups operating in their respective territories.