Afghanistan says 28 fighters killed after crossing from Pakistan

Afghanistan's defence ministry reported on Sunday that 28 fighters and 32 others were killed and wounded respectively in the eastern province of Nuristan following a crossing from Pakistan. The ministry claimed the group comprised Islamic State militants, alleging that Pakistani militias had supported these fighters, with most being former Afghan government security personnel.

Pakistan's information ministry dismissed these allegations as "frivolous, baseless, and devoid of any truth," denying any involvement of its security forces, intelligence agencies, or recruitment/training of former Afghan security personnel.

The Afghan claim of Pakistani state involvement in the armed incursion marks a direct accusation of involvement. This allegation arrives less than a week after Pakistan conducted airstrikes inside Afghanistan, citing targets as militants. The veracity of Afghanistan's casualty figures and account could not be independently verified by Reuters. Pakistan has consistently accused Afghanistan of harboring fighters who attack its territory—a claim Kabul denies.

According to Afghanistan's defence ministry, the group entered Kamdesh, a district of Nuristan near the Pakistani border, on Saturday with the intent to launch attacks. The Afghan forces then launched an operation, with the surviving fighters fleeing back across the border towards Pakistani militia positions. The ministry alleged that Pakistani armed personnel and militia members coordinated with the fighters before withdrawing upon the commencement of hostilities.

The ministry also accused Pakistani intelligence of covertly transporting former Afghan security personnel to Pakistan under the guise of providing assistance, training, and sending them towards Nuristan. Pakistan's information ministry disputed Afghanistan's evidence, labeling the circulated video as "staged." Reuters could not independently verify the video.

This incident is reminiscent of Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan on September 21, which Pakistani officials claimed killed 28 militants, though Afghan officials reported civilian deaths, with the UN mission in Afghanistan confirming three civilian deaths.