Local sources report that a clash between Pakistani border forces and the Taliban lasted nearly five and a half hours late Thursday night.
The skirmish began around 8:30 p.m. on Thursday and continued until 2 a.m. on Friday, according to sources in the area. The confrontation took place near the Ghulam Khan border crossing in Khost province, Afghanistan.
Sources say the clash erupted after Taliban forces attempted to prevent Pakistani troops from entering Afghan territory. A local Taliban official in Khost, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “The attacks were initiated by Pakistan around 8:30, and we responded. It was a sporadic fight, caused by rocket fire as they tried to cross the Durand Line.”
While the Taliban have denied any casualties, local residents reported that both sides, as well as civilians, sustained injuries during the conflict.
Jalal Ahmad, a resident of Khost, said, “For several days now, we have witnessed clashes between Pakistani forces and the Taliban. There have been casualties, and civilians have been affected.”
Another Khost resident, Hikmatullah, expressed frustration over the ongoing violence. “Pakistan and Afghanistan are fighting, and over the past few days, people have suffered. We do not want war—we want peace. War is not good; peace is what the people want.”
This is the second border skirmish in Khost in less than two weeks, with both previous incidents resulting in casualties on both sides and among local residents. Earlier clashes were also reported in the Dand Patan district of Paktia province, which shares a border with Pakistan.
