Afghanistan says 28 fighters killed after crossing from Pakistan as tensions rise

Afghanistan’s Taliban government said its forces killed 28 fighters who crossed from Pakistan into the eastern province of Nuristan on Sunday, an allegation Islamabad rejected as baseless.

Afghanistan’s Defence Ministry said most of the fighters were former members of the country’s security forces who had been recruited by Pakistani intelligence. It also alleged that the group included ISIL fighters supported by Pakistani militias. Pakistan’s Information Ministry denied that its security forces or intelligence agencies were involved, or that Pakistan had recruited, trained or facilitated armed groups inside Afghanistan.

Islamabad called on the Taliban authorities to take “credible and verifiable action” against groups operating from Afghan territory. Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of sheltering militants responsible for attacks in Pakistan, while Kabul denies allowing its territory to be used for such operations.

Sunday’s incident also followed a suicide bombing at a roadside police checkpoint in Dera Ismail Khan in northwestern Pakistan on Saturday. Authorities said an explosives-laden vehicle killed at least 11 people and wounded about 30, including security personnel and passersby. Al Jazeera reported a death toll of at least 12. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility.

Tensions had already risen after Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan. Pakistan said Thursday's strikes targeted locations used to store and launch drones, while Afghan officials said civilians were killed in Pakistani airstrikes on September 21.