Afghanistan says its forces kill 28 fighters and capture 32 others after a group crosses from Pakistan into Afghanistan. Multiple outlets report the incident is linked to alleged Islamic State affiliates, with Afghanistan describing the arrivals as militants moving into the country. Afghanistan’s defence ministry also says some of the group are wounded.
Outlets largely base their accounts on Afghanistan’s defence ministry statement. Several add that Afghanistan says Pakistani militias supported the fighters and that most of them are former Afghan government security personnel. One outlet places the fighting in Afghanistan’s eastern province of Nuristan.
Pakistan, according to the reports, disputes Afghanistan’s claims. The West Australian and others say Islamabad rejects the allegation that the fighters were Islamic State members, while another outlet characterizes Pakistan’s denial as including a rejection of links between Pakistani authorities and the group. Across coverage, the main differences are emphasis on whether the group is described specifically as Islamic State members and the extent of detail about Afghanistan’s claims regarding Pakistani involvement.
