In a dramatic escalation of tensions, deadly clashes have erupted along the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, leaving 19 Pakistani soldiers dead.
On the Afghan side, three innocent civilians have also lost their lives.
The news was confirmed by China Daily, which cited a report from the Chinese news agency Xinhua on December 28.
The violence follows a missile strike by Pakistan on Afghan soil earlier this week, which significantly raised tensions between the two countries.
According to a source within Afghanistan`s Ministry of Defense, speaking to Tolo News, fierce fighting continues in eastern Afghanistan, particularly in the Khost and Paktia provinces.
These areas, which are close to the border, have become a battleground, with both sides engaging in intense clashes.
Afghan border forces have reportedly set fire to several Pakistani military posts in the Ali Shir district of Khost.
They also managed to capture two key Pakistani positions in Paktia`s Dand-i-Patan area.
Afghan officials revealed that the Pakistani military had fired mortar shells into the Dand-i-Patan district, killing three Afghan civilians in the process.
This conflict comes on the heels of a terrorist attack in Pakistan the previous week.
On December 24, Pakistani forces launched a series of bomb attacks across four locations in Afghanistan`s Paktika province.
The attacks targeted the Barmal district and resulted in at least 46 deaths, with the majority of those killed being women and children. Six others were injured in the assault.
The Taliban government in Afghanistan has condemned the Pakistani strikes, calling them "barbaric" and a "clear act of aggression."
They have promised a strong response, stating that they will not tolerate further attacks on Afghan soil.
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