Afghanistan says it killed 28 fighters, wounded 32 after group crosses over from Pakistan

Afghanistan's defense ministry reported killing 28 fighters and wounding 32 in Nuristan province after a group, allegedly including Islamic State terrorists, crossed from Pakistan. The ministry accused Pakistani militias of supporting the fighters and claimed most were former Afghan government security personnel. Pakistan did not respond to requests for comment. Reuters could not independently verify the figures.

Afghanistan's defense ministry announced on Sunday that its forces killed 28 fighters and wounded 32 in the eastern province of Nuristan after a group, which it said included Islamic State terrorists, crossed from Pakistan. The ministry alleged that Pakistani militias had supported the fighters and that most of them were former Afghan government security personnel. It accused Pakistani intelligence of taking former Afghan security personnel to Pakistan under the pretext of offering assistance, training them, and sending them toward Nuristan. The group crossed into Kamdesh district on Saturday with the intention of carrying out attacks, according to the ministry. Afghan forces launched an operation, and the surviving fighters fled back across the border toward Pakistani militia positions. The ministry also alleged that Pakistani armed personnel and militia members coordinated with the fighters but withdrew when fighting began. Pakistan's military and information ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reuters could not independently verify the ministry's account or its casualty figures. The incident follows Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan on September 21 that Islamabad said killed 28 militants; Afghan officials said civilians were killed, and the UN mission confirmed three civilian deaths.