Over the past week, Taliban forces and Pakistani military personnel have clashed three times in the Zazi Maidan district of Khost province, resulting in casualties and forcing dozens of families to flee their homes.
Tarz Press - The latest clash began yesterday afternoon around 4 p.m. and lasted for two hours before temporarily halting. However, sources from the region report that the skirmishes resumed late at night. A source from Khost province informed Tarz Press that the clashes started when Pakistani forces fired upon Taliban forces who were building a military base on this side of the Durand Line. The source added, "In response, Taliban army forces retaliated against Pakistani forces with both light and heavy weapons. According to our information, two Pakistani military outposts were destroyed, and an armored tank was eliminated."
Meanwhile, a Taliban official in the area stated that their forces remain highly motivated and stationed at their positions along the assumed border line. The Taliban official emphasized, "If the Pakistani military takes any action against Afghanistan, it will face a strong response from the Taliban."
The Taliban's Ministry of Defense has announced that four of its fighters were wounded in these clashes. However, Pakistani officials have yet to provide any information regarding their casualties.
Latest Reports from the Ground
A resident of Zazi Maidan district, who wishes to remain anonymous, told Tarz Press that light and heavy weapons were used in these clashes, causing fear among the local population. The resident added that the situation on the ground is dire and critical, with dozens of families forced to leave their homes due to ongoing clashes and gunfire.
Alam Gul Zadran, a local tribal elder, told Tarz Press that such clashes benefit neither side and should cease. He stated that every time these kinds of skirmishes occur, people are forced to flee, their homes are targeted, and lives are lost. Zadran urged both the Taliban and the Pakistani government to resolve these issues through negotiation; otherwise, continued clashes could lead to more significant problems.
It is worth noting that a similar clash between the Taliban and Pakistani border guards occurred last Wednesday afternoon in the Zazi Maidan district of Khost province. However, officials from both countries have not released any information regarding casualties from these incidents.
