Afghan vice president Amrullah Saleh on Thursday accused the Pakistan Air Force of warning Afghan security forces that it would retaliate against any move to dislodge Taliban fighters in the strategic border region of Spin Boldak. Taking to Twitter, Afghan First Vice President Amrullah Saleh said that the Pakistan Air Force is now providing close air support to the Taliban in certain areas.
“Pakistan air force has issued official warning to the Afghan Army and Air Force that any move to dislodge the Taliban from Spin Boldak area will be faced and repelled by the Pakistan Air Force. Pak air force is now providing close air support to Taliban in certain areas,” Afghan VP Saleh tweeted. He said in another tweet that he was “ready to share evidence” about the warning from the Pakistani military to the Afghan side. He added that Afghan aircraft “as far as 10 kilometers frm Spin Boldak R warned 2 back off or face air to air missiles”. There was no immediate response to the allegation from the Pakistani side. Earlier today, Pakistan had confirmed that the Taliban were in control of a key town on the Afghan side of its border area.
“They have taken control of Spin Boldak border crossing,” said Pakistan foreign ministry spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, as quoted by Pakistan Observer. This comes a day after the Taliban’s claim that they have seized the border town as part of an offensive across the war-torn country. Local media on Wednesday reported that the Taliban have captured a main border crossing with Pakistan, in southern Kandahar province.
