Intense fighting broke out overnight in at least five areas along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, resulting in multiple deaths and prompting Islamabad to close two major border crossings, officials from both countries reported on October 12.
In Kabul, Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated that at least 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed and around 30 wounded during the exchanges of fire. Nine Afghan soldiers were also reportedly killed, with 18 others injured.
Pakistani authorities have not officially released casualty figures, but security sources confirmed to Radio Mashaal / Radio Free Europe that three Pakistani soldiers and one civilian were killed, and five soldiers wounded in the latest outbreak of violence. Several civilians on the Pakistani side of the border reportedly fled to safer areas.
Pakistani leadership condemned the violence, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari blaming Afghanistan for the escalation. Sharif warned: “There will be no compromise when it comes to defending Pakistan, and any provocation will receive a strong and effective response.” He accused the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan of allowing “terrorist elements” to operate from their territory.
Pakistani security officials reported that some Taliban border posts within Afghanistan were destroyed during Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes. The operations reportedly involve artillery, tanks, and light and heavy weapons.
Afghan Taliban leaders confirmed that their forces conducted “successful retaliatory operations along the Durand Line against Pakistani security centers, in response to repeated violations of Afghan airspace and territory.”
The 2,600-kilometer Durand Line, established during the colonial era in 1893, frequently sees tensions between the two neighboring countries. Mujahid added that the retaliatory operations were paused following requests from Qatar and Saudi Arabia, though clashes continue in areas including Bahramcha in Helmand province due to ongoing Pakistani attacks.
A senior Pakistani official told AFP that Taliban forces opened fire first with light artillery, followed by heavy artillery at four border points. Pakistani forces also reportedly shot down three Afghan drones suspected of carrying explosives.
Historically allied, Afghanistan and Pakistan have been at odds over accusations that Taliban elements in Afghanistan harbor the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), responsible for deadly attacks in Pakistan. Taliban authorities, who returned to power in August 2021, deny protecting TTP within Afghanistan.
On October 9, two senior TTP members were reportedly killed in drone strikes in Kabul, targeting Noor Wali Mehsud, the TTP leader, though reports conflict on whether Mehsud himself was killed. Pakistani media cited the Foreign Ministry as stating Islamabad respects Afghan territorial integrity but is committed to taking necessary measures to protect its citizens.
International actors, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, have called for restraint following the latest outbreak of violence.
