Following a Pakistani military drone strike on Paktika Province that left numerous civilians dead and wounded - including children and local cricket players - Taliban forces launched retaliatory attacks on Pakistani military positions along the Durand Line, according to AnsarPress News Agency.

Reports indicate that Pakistani army drones targeted Argun District in Paktika Province on Thursday night, killing at least six people and wounding seven others. Among the dead, two children have been confirmed.

The Afghanistan Cricket Federation later reported that eight members of local cricket teams were also killed in the same attacks while returning to Argun after participating in friendly matches. Four other players sustained injuries. The federation added that Pakistani airstrikes have intensified in recent days along border regions in Paktika and Khost provinces.

In response, local sources confirmed that Taliban forces launched retaliatory offensives targeting Pakistani army outposts along the border. According to multiple reports, heavy cross-border fighting broke out across several fronts, involving artillery and heavy weapons, and lasted for several hours overnight.

Videos circulating on social media appeared to show Taliban units in Spin Boldak, Kandahar Province, on high alert and preparing for engagement.

As of now, officials from both the Taliban government and the Pakistani military have not issued any formal statements regarding the drone strikes or subsequent clashes, and no confirmed casualty figures from the border fighting have been released.

The escalation marks one of the most serious cross-border confrontations in recent months, highlighting the fragile and volatile security situation along the Afghanistan-Pakistan frontier, where civilians - including athletes and children - continue to bear the brunt of regional military tensions.