ISLAMABAD, Oct 12 (KUNA) -- Violent clashes erupted along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border between Afghan Taliban forces. The Pakistani Army announced that 23 Pakistani soldiers were killed as well as 200 Afghans.
Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan's military media wing, said that Afghan Taliban and "Indian-sponsored" militants launched an attack on Pakistan along the Pak-Afghan border, which included fire and a few physical raids. Pakistan's Army retaliated, inflicting casualties on Taliban Forces and affiliated militants.
The military stated further that multiple Taliban locations were destroyed all along the border, including several training camps that were rendered inoperative.
The ISPR claimed that during overnight skirmishes, 23 Pakistani soldiers were killed, while 29 others were injured, and that more than 200 Taliban and affiliated soldiers have been killed while the number of injured is much higher, including infrastructural damage to Taliban training camps, headquarters, and support networks.
President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari has reaffirmed that Pakistan remains firmly committed to safeguarding its national interests, regional sovereignty, and security.
In a statement, the President urged the Interim Afghan government to take concrete and verifiable action against anti-Pakistan terrorist elements operating from Afghan soil.
Earlier on Saturday, Pakistan's state media confirmed that Afghan forces opened unprovoked fire at the Pak-Afghan border at the locations of Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, Chitral, and Baram Chah bordering Pakistan. The clashes between the two neighboring countries erupted at a time when Afghan Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi is on a visit to India. (end) sbk.sas