Nangarhar Border Clash; Taliban Security Official: Our Action Was Not Retaliatory

Border forces of the Taliban and Pakistani troops clashed on Tuesday evening (February 24) in the Shahkot area of Nazian district in Nangarhar province.

Isteqamat Press – the confrontation occurred after a Taliban patrol near the so-called Durand Line came under fire from Pakistani paramilitary forces.

Wahidullah Mohammadi, spokesperson for the 201 Khalid bin Walid Corps, stressed that the return fire by Taliban border forces was purely defensive and that no casualties were sustained on the Afghan side.

He further stated that the clash was in no way a retaliation for Pakistan’s recent airstrikes in border provinces.

The corps spokesperson added that the fighting has now completely ceased and the security situation in Achin and Nazian districts has returned to normal. Local sources had earlier reported an exchange of fire in the same area.

The incident occurred just three days after Pakistan bombed locations in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, which resulted in civilian casualties.