274 Taliban fighters, 55 Pakistani soldiers killed

Pakistan's military has updated its claims, stating that 274 Taliban fighters have been killed so far in ongoing clashes along the Afghan border. The revised toll was announced by Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry at a press conference in Islamabad on Friday.

According to the updated figures, over 400 Taliban fighters have been wounded, 73 security posts have been completely destroyed and 17 posts have been captured by Pakistani forces. Preliminary estimates indicate at least 115 tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery pieces of Afghan forces have been destroyed.

Pakistan's military also confirmed that 12 Pakistani soldiers have been killed and 27 injured in the clashes. The ISPR chief stated that Pakistani forces are continuing operations "under the Prime Minister's direction" and have struck military targets at 22 locations in Afghanistan.

Earlier, Afghanistan's Defence Ministry had claimed that 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed in retaliatory operations, with two Pakistani army headquarters and 19 checkpoints captured. The Taliban government also claimed that eight Afghan soldiers were killed and 11 injured in the fighting.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan's state-run Bakhtar News Agency reported that the Afghan army has formed a 'suicide squad' equipped with explosive vests and vehicle bombs, ready to strike enemy targets.

Al Jazeera reported that intense clashes were continuing along the border even after noon on Friday, with Pakistan conducting airstrikes while attacks also coming from inside Afghanistan. Pakistan has announced it will continue retaliatory operations.