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Afghanistan on Sunday claimed to have killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in overnight border operations, describing the strikes as a response to repeated violations of its airspace and territory by Pakistan.
Earlier this week, Afghan authorities accused Pakistan of bombing Kabul and a market in eastern Afghanistan, allegations Islamabad has neither confirmed nor denied.
Taliban government Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Afghan forces had captured 25 Pakistani army posts, killing 58 soldiers and wounding 30 others.
“All official borders and de facto lines of Afghanistan are under complete control, and illegal activities have been largely prevented,” Mujahid told reporters in Kabul.
There was no immediate confirmation from Pakistan regarding casualties.
Pakistan has previously carried out airstrikes inside Afghanistan, targeting what it claims are militant hideouts, typically in remote, mountainous areas. However, Saturday night’s intense clashes mark a significant escalation and highlight the deepening tensions between the two neighbours.
The Taliban’s Defence Ministry said early Sunday that its forces had launched “retaliatory and successful operations” along the border.
“If the opposing side again violates Afghanistan’s territorial integrity, our armed forces are fully prepared to defend the nation’s borders and will deliver a strong response,” the ministry warned.
Border Crossings Closed Amid Escalation
The Torkham border crossing, one of the two main trade routes between the countries, remained closed on Sunday after failing to open at its usual time of 8 a.m. The Chaman crossing, in southwest Pakistan, was also shut, disrupting movement and trade. Afghan refugees attempting to cross into Afghanistan were turned away amid heightened security.
Witnesses in Chaman reported hearing jets over Spin Boldak in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province, followed by explosions and smoke rising from the area.
Afghan Foreign Minister Blames Pakistan for Internal Instability
Speaking in New Delhi, Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi rejected Pakistan’s repeated accusations of harbouring militants from the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
“There is no presence of TTP in Afghanistan now,” Muttaqi said. “The Pakistan military’s own operations in tribal areas displaced many people, who were later given refuge on Afghan soil. These are Pakistani citizens, not Afghan militants.”
He added that the Durand Line, the disputed 2,400-kilometer border between the two countries, “could neither be controlled by Changez nor Angrez,” referring to Genghis Khan and the British.
“If Pakistan wants peace, it should control issues inside its own territory instead of blaming us. Why endanger its own people to please a few?” he remarked.
Tense Relations Since Taliban’s Return
The Pakistan–Afghanistan border, stretching 2,611 kilometers (1,622 miles) and commonly known as the Durand Line, has long been a flashpoint. Afghanistan has never formally recognised the boundary.
Relations have remained strained since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of sheltering anti-Pakistan militants, a charge Afghan authorities continue to deny.
Team BharatShakti
Dr Ravi Shankar has over two decades of experience in communications, print journalism, electronic media, documentary film making and new media.
He makes regular appearances on national television news channels as a commentator and analyst on current and political affairs. Apart from being an acknowledged Journalist, he has been a passionate newsroom manager bringing a wide range of journalistic experience from past associations with India’s leading media conglomerates (Times of India group and India Today group) and had led global news-gathering operations at world’s biggest multimedia news agency- ANI-Reuters. He has covered Parliament extensively over the past several years. Widely traveled, he has covered several summits as part of media delegation accompanying the Indian President, Vice President, Prime Minister, External Affairs Minister and Finance Minister across Asia, Africa and Europe.
