Afghanistan and Pakistan experienced a night of intense border clashes that resulted in significant casualties on both sides. According to officials, Afghan Taliban forces initiated the confrontation late Saturday, characterizing it as retaliation for recent air strikes reportedly conducted by the Pakistani military on Kabul.
While Islamabad has not directly acknowledged responsibility for the air strikes, it has reiterated its right to self-defense amid surging militancy that it claims is being orchestrated from Afghan territory. The recurring skirmishes in the border regions have been a concern since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, but violations of airspace that extend deeply into Afghanistan would represent a notable escalation in tensions.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for the Taliban government, reported on Sunday that 58 Pakistani soldiers had been killed and around 30 wounded during the clashes, with nine Taliban fighters also losing their lives. In contrast, the Pakistani military stated that 23 of its soldiers were killed, while asserting that over 200 Taliban and affiliated forces perished in the fighting. The precise casualty figures could not be independently confirmed by international news agencies.
Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi remarked that the situation was “under control.” He asserted that their military operation achieved its goals and acknowledged external appeals for peace from nations such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which he claimed led to a cessation of hostilities.
On the Pakistani side, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif decried what he termed provocations from Afghanistan, vowing that Pakistan’s defense would remain uncompromising and that any further provocations would provoke a strong response. He accused the Taliban-led administration in Afghanistan of permitting their territory to be utilized by terrorist organizations.
Reports indicate that following the heavy clashes, several border security officials confirmed no further incidents had occurred at key crossings early Sunday morning, although the borders remained shut. Additional troops were dispatched to the Torkham crossing, a major transit point between Kabul and Islamabad. Pakistani officials indicated that there were no casualties on their side and that calm had returned to the area.
The clashes unfolded against the backdrop of a diplomatic visit, as India welcomed Afghanistan’s foreign minister for discussions. This shift in relations has reportedly caused alarm in Pakistan, provoking a more aggressive stance from Islamabad.
Amid the ongoing violence, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region has seen a spike in militancy since the withdrawal of US-led forces from Afghanistan, attributed largely to the Pakistani Taliban (TTP). This group, which has ramped up attacks against Pakistani security forces this year, has been responsible for a significant portion of violence in the region, marking one of the deadliest periods in over a decade.
Experts on Afghan-Pakistani relations noted that deteriorating ties have reached a historical low, highlighting the urgent need for renewed diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing confrontations. The TTP, although distinct from the Afghan Taliban, is seen as closely linked, with reports indicating that they operate with considerable support from the Taliban government in Kabul.
A recent UN report suggested that the TTP benefits greatly from logistical and operational aid provided by the Taliban. This year alone, over 500 individuals—including 311 military personnel and 73 police officers—have lost their lives in violence attributed to this conflict, prompting Pakistani officials to express their frustrations with the current situation. In a recent parliamentary address, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif declared that attempts to persuade the Afghan Taliban to refrain from aiding the TTP had been unsuccessful, indicating that patience is wearing thin in Islamabad.
