According to local media, the clashes, which reportedly involved small arms, RPGs, mortars and artillery, occurred in the southern provinces of Helmand, Kandahar and Zabul, the southeastern provinces of Paktia, Paktika and Ghost, and the eastern Afghan provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar.
The interim Taliban government announced that the Afghan military had carried out a “retaliatory operation” in response to “repeated violations of Afghan airspace and airstrikes on Afghan territory by the Pakistani military.”
Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry said in a statement that the attack on Pakistani security outposts along the 2,611-kilometer Durand Line border ended at midnight (local time).
Clashes reportedly continue sporadically on various sections of the border. The Spin Bolduc, Torkham and Angar Adda border crossings remain closed.
Afghan forces captured 25 Pakistani military strongholds. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said 58 soldiers had been killed and 30 injured.
“The situation on all official and de facto borders of Afghanistan is fully under control and illegal activities have been largely stopped,” he told a news conference in Kabul.
There was no immediate confirmation from the Pakistani side of casualties.
Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Iran expressed concern about the sudden escalation in hostilities and called for “restraint”.
MNA/