Afghanistan said on Sunday that its forces killed 28 fighters who had crossed into the country from Pakistan, according to multiple outlets. Kabul's defense ministry said many of the dead were former Afghan security personnel.
Accounts differ on the number of additional fighters detained or wounded. The Washington Times reported 32 fighters were captured, while The Jerusalem Post reported 32 were wounded. The Times of India said the 28 killed were described as "fighters," mostly former Afghan security personnel.
The Jerusalem Post reported, citing the Afghan defense ministry, that Pakistani militias had allegedly supported the fighters, and that the group included alleged members of the Islamic State group, according to The Washington Times.
Pakistan denied any ties to the fighters, according to the South China Morning Post. The incident has added to rising tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, with Al Jazeera English reporting that the two governments have traded accusations over terrorism and cross-border violence.
How each side covered it
Left
- Al Jazeera English framed the incident within worsening Afghanistan-Pakistan relations.
- Reports noted both governments trading accusations over terrorism and cross-border violence.
“Relations strain further as Afghanistan and Pakistan trade accusations over terrorism and cross-border violence.” — Al Jazeera English
Center
- Reuters, SCMP, and Times of India reported the core figure of 28 fighters killed after crossing from Pakistan.
- Times of India specified most of the dead were former Afghan security personnel.
- SCMP reported Pakistan's denial of ties to the fighters.
“Afghanistan says 28 fighters killed after crossing from Pakistan” — Reuters
Right
- The Washington Times reported 32 fighters captured, including alleged Islamic State members.
- The Jerusalem Post reported 32 wounded and alleged Pakistani militia support for the fighters.
- Both right-leaning outlets cited the Afghan defense ministry as the source of the claims.
“Afghanistan said on Sunday that its forces killed 28 fighters and captured 32 others, including alleged members of the Islamic State group said to have crossed from neighboring Pakistan.” — The Washington Times
Questions readers ask
What happened between Afghanistan and Pakistan?
Afghanistan's government said its forces killed 28 fighters who had crossed into the country from Pakistan, with many reportedly being former Afghan security personnel. Pakistan denied any connection to the fighters.
How many fighters were captured or wounded?
Reports differ: The Washington Times said 32 fighters were captured, while The Jerusalem Post reported 32 were wounded.
Did the fighters have ties to the Islamic State group?
According to The Washington Times, the group was said to include alleged members of the Islamic State group who had crossed from Pakistan.
Why does this incident matter for Afghanistan-Pakistan relations?
Al Jazeera English reported that the incident comes amid worsening relations, with Kabul and Islamabad trading accusations over terrorism and cross-border violence.
What did Pakistan say in response?
According to the South China Morning Post, Pakistan denied having any ties to the fighters Afghanistan said had crossed its border.
Sources · 7 outlet reports
- Al Jazeera EnglishLeft-leaningAfghanistan says 28 fighters killed as Islamabad, Kabul trade accusations
- Associated PressLeft-leaningAfghanistan says 28 fighters killed, 32 captured after crossing from Pakistan
- ReutersCenterAfghanistan says 28 fighters killed after crossing from Pakistan
- South China Morning PostCenterAfghanistan says 28 dead fighters came from Pakistan as Islamabad denies ties
- The Times of IndiaCenter28 'fighters', mostly former Afghan security personnel, killed after crossing from Pakistan: Kabul
- The Jerusalem PostRight-leaningAfghanistan says it killed 28 fighters, wounded 32 after group crosses over from Pakistan
- The Washington TimesRight-leaningAfghanistan says 28 fighters killed, 32 captured after crossing from Pakistan