Kabul, Afghanistan — In a significant escalation of tensions, the Afghan government announced on Sunday that it had killed 58 Pakistani soldiers during overnight border operations. This military action was described as a response to what Afghanistan termed "repeated violations" of its territory and airspace by Pakistani forces. Earlier in the week, Afghan authorities had accused Pakistan of conducting airstrikes on the capital, Kabul, as well as a market in eastern Afghanistan. Pakistan, however, has not claimed responsibility for these attacks.
The chief spokesman for the Taliban government, Zabihullah Mujahid, reported that Afghan forces successfully captured 25 Pakistani army posts. He stated that in addition to the casualties, approximately 30 Pakistani soldiers were wounded during these operations. During a press conference in Kabul, Mujahid asserted that "the situation on all official borders and de facto lines of Afghanistan is under complete control," emphasizing that illegal activities have been largely curtailed.
As of now, there has been no immediate confirmation from the Pakistani government regarding the reported casualties. Historically, Pakistan has targeted militant hideouts within Afghanistan, focusing on remote and mountainous regions. However, the recent heavy clashes highlight the increasing security tensions between the two nations. The Afghan Defense Ministry confirmed that its forces carried out "retaliatory and successful operations" along the border and warned that they are fully prepared to defend the nation's territorial integrity.
Consequently, the Torkham border crossing, one of the primary trade routes between Afghanistan and Pakistan, did not open on Sunday at its usual time of 8 AM. Additionally, the Chaman crossing was also closed. This disruption underscores the impact of ongoing military conflicts on trade and daily life in the region.
Pakistan has accused Afghan authorities of sheltering members of the banned group Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad claims conducts deadly attacks inside Pakistan. In contrast, Afghan officials deny these allegations, stating that they do not allow their territory to be used against neighboring countries.
Before the Afghan claims of casualties were made public, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attacks, asserting that the Pakistani army had "not only given a befitting reply to Afghanistan’s provocations but also destroyed several of their posts." In a related development, the Saudi Foreign Ministry issued a statement calling for "restraint, avoidance of escalation, and the adoption of dialogue and wisdom" to de-escalate tensions and maintain regional security. This statement comes on the heels of a mutual defense pact recently established between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
A senior Pakistani security official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, reported that Afghan forces initiated gunfire in various northwestern border areas within the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, specifically in the districts of Chitral, Bajaur, Mohmand, Angoor Adda, and Kurram. The official added that Pakistani troops responded with heavy weaponry near Tirah in Khyber district and across the border in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province.
The Afghanistan-Pakistan border, known as the Durand Line, stretches for approximately 2,611 kilometers (1,622 miles), but it has never been officially recognized by Afghanistan, leading to ongoing disputes and military confrontations.
As the situation continues to unfold, both nations remain on high alert, with international observers closely monitoring developments in this volatile region.
