Intense fighting erupted along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border Saturday night, with Taliban fighters launching surprise attacks on multiple Pakistani posts.
Afghanistan claims 58 Pakistani soldiers killed and 30 injured while asserting control over 25 Pakistani border posts. Pakistan retaliated, with the Taliban government confirming at least nine Afghan soldiers killed and 19 Afghan border posts seized.
The Torkham border crossing closed due to security risks. Iran, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia urged both sides to exercise restraint. The conflict flared when Taliban forces fired across the border, prompting a swift response from Pakistan’s military.
Heavy artillery exchanges followed, with Pakistani forces, using cannons, tanks, drones, and heavy weapons, reportedly destroying Afghan strongholds in Manzab, Turkmenzai, and Kharchar, across Kurram, Chitral, and Baramcha regions. Islamabad claims numerous Afghan soldiers were killed. You can get more details by updating Al Jazeera live reports.
Pakistan labeled the Taliban’s initial attack a clear violation of international law but described its counteroffensive as a defensive measure targeting militant strongholds and training centers, not an act of war.
When asked about the border fighting with Pakistan, Muttaqi says Kabul “achieved our military objectives last night”.
“Our friends, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have expressed that this conflict should come to an end, so we have paused it from our side for the time being,” he said at a news conference in New Delhi, ANI news agency reported.
“The people of Pakistan, in the majority, are peace-loving and want good relations with Afghanistan. We have no issues with Pakistani civilians.
“When someone tries to interfere in our internal matters, all civilians, government heads, ulemas [religious scholars] and all religious leaders come together to fight in the interests of the country.
“If Pakistan doesn’t want good relations and peace, then Afghanistan has other options as well.”
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The Taliban administration, however, claims Saturday’s gunfire was retaliation for Pakistan’s airstrikes in Kabul last Thursday. Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Qatar expressed concern over the escalating violence, calling for restraint, dialogue, and diplomacy to resolve tensions.
