The Afghan Defence Ministry said its forces had killed 28 fighters and wounded 32 in Nuristan after a group it said included Islamic State militants crossed from Pakistan. It also alleged that Pakistani militias supported the fighters and that most were former Afghan government security personnel.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting rejected the allegations on September 27. It said no identities, documents, communications, forensic evidence or independent verification had been presented to establish Pakistani involvement.

The ministry also questioned material circulated on social media, saying the video showed several unarmed individuals who were allegedly not properly equipped or dressed as fighters. These observations were presented by Pakistani authorities as reasons for questioning the Taliban account.

Dispute adds to Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions

Reuters reported the Afghan claims while noting that Pakistan’s military and information ministry had not immediately responded to requests for comment at the time. Pakistan later issued its rejection through the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

The latest dispute comes amid continuing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan over cross-border militancy and accusations involving armed groups. Reuters has also reported Pakistani claims that militant attacks in Pakistan are linked to activity from Afghan territory, while Kabul has rejected such allegations.