Afghanistan, Pakistan cross-border tensions continue

- Pakistani army destroyed ammunition depot in eastern Khost province, Pakistan Television reports, citing security sources

KARACHI, Pakistan

Cross-border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan continued on Monday, with at least three children killed in ongoing fighting in eastern Kunar province, Afghan media reported.

According to Afghanistan's broadcaster Tolo News, three children were killed, and two were injured when shells allegedly fired by Pakistani military forces struck a refugee camp in the Khass Kunar district.

However, state broadcaster Pakistan Television reported, citing security sources, that Pakistani army forces destroyed an ammunition depot in eastern Khost province as part of their operations against the "Afghan Taliban regime's aggression."

There was no official statement from either party regarding the latest developments.

Pakistan has claimed that its "self-defense" measures ensured that no civilians were targeted.

In a related development, Pakistan on Monday ordered the closure of scores of schools located near the border in the North Waziristan, Mohmand, Khyber, and Bajaur districts until further notice as a precautionary measure in light of the prevailing security situation.

Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Monday claimed 435 Afghan Taliban operatives and suspected militants have been killed and more than 630 injured in airstrikes and clashes since Thursday.

Kabul, for its part, claims 56 Pakistani soldiers were killed in the border clashes.

The veracity of casualty claims by Islamabad and Kabul could not be independently verified.

Chinese envoy meets Pakistan's top diplomat

Separately, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday received Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong in Islamabad.

"Discussions were held on the evolving regional situation and broader developments," the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said on the US social media company X.

Dar emphasized the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, and continued consultations, while reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to peace and stability in the region and beyond.

The statement did not mention whether they discussed border tensions with Afghanistan.

Notably, Beijing has said it was engaging Islamabad as well as Kabul to de-escalate the border situation.

​​​​​Death toll at 84

Tensions between the two neighbors have been running high since last Thursday, when Kabul launched “retaliatory operations” along the border after Pakistani airstrikes in late February.

According to a tally of figures from both sides of the border, 84 people have been killed so far.

They include 12 Pakistani soldiers and one civilian, while 13 Afghan soldiers and 58 civilians lost their lives during the clashes. One Pakistani soldier remains missing.

Pakistan in late February launched airstrikes on "terror targets," killing 70 “terrorists,” while Afghan officials and the UN reported civilian deaths, claims Pakistan denies.

Relations have deteriorated in recent months as Pakistan accuses militants of operating from Afghan territory, an allegation Kabul rejects, even as regional diplomatic contacts continue amid efforts to ease tensions.