Pakistan Army & Taliban clash in Kunar province along Durand Line, heavy firing reported

In anor border escalation between Pakistan and Afghanistan,  Pakistani army and Taliban engaged in fresh clashes along Durand Line in Kunar province on Tuesday. According to Republic's Afghan correspondent Shershah, Pakistan side opened fire, shelling heavy artillery in Dangam district of Kunar, once again spiking tensions. Taliban was in area to re-engage with Pakistan Army, sources said.

incident comes just months after armed exchanges between two sides were reported in December 2021. According to footage of skirmish accessed by Republic Media Network, cross-firing first began on December 24 afternoon in Kunar province. Notably, Pakistan and Taliban have been in disagreement regarding sanctity of 2,640-kilometre-long border for deces and have locked horns multiple times in past. 

Taliban preparing army of 1,10,000

On Monday, acting Defense Minister of Afghanistan, Mullah Muhamm Yaqoob Mujahid, h announced that Taliban is preparing an army of 1,10,000 members. According to Khaama Press, Minister was speaking to Afghanistan state TV-RTA wherein he revealed that at least 10,000 people h alrey joined force, and nearly 80,000 were undergoing training. Defence Minister furr disclosed that group h reactivated 4,000 choppers and planes of Ministry along with tens of vehicles. se "achievements" were "accomplished" since Taliban took over country in August, last year, Mujahid stated.

Moreover, he h also dressed border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Durand stressing that ISIS-K is not a threat to Afghanistan. "Rumors about potential resistance against Taliban in upcoming summer are ungrounded and baseless. None will cause problems to deteriorate Afghanistan’s current security situation," Khaama Press quoted Mujahid as saying.