28 'fighters', mostly former Afghan security personnel, killed after crossing from Pakistan: Kabul

NEW DELHI: Twenty-eight 'fighters' were killed after crossing from Pakistan into eastern Afghanistan, Taliban's defence ministry told news agency Reuters on Sunday, adding that most of them were former Afghan security personnel.However, Pakistan rejected Taliban-ruled Afghanistan's claims that its forces and intelligence backed "fighters" in Nuristan.The development comes days after renewed tensions were reported between Pakistan and Afghanistan in the Gulistan sector along the Durand Line.The latest escalation was also reported to have killed several Taliban members.Sources cited by Afghanistan International said details of the planned attack were still unclear. Pakistani security sources described the operation as "retaliatory", saying it followed an attempt to enter Pakistani territory and carry out aggressive activities.Intermittent exchanges of fire between Afghan Taliban forces and Pakistani security personnel have continued, with troops along the border remaining on high alert.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.