Afghanistan reported on Sunday that it had eliminated 58 Pakistani soldiers during border operations overnight, citing repeated violations of its airspace and territory by Pakistan. The Afghan government had previously accused Pakistan of carrying out bombings in Kabul and an eastern market without claiming responsibility for the attacks.
According to the Taliban government’s spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, Afghan forces seized 25 Pakistani army posts, resulting in 58 fatalities and 30 injuries among Pakistani soldiers. Mujahid stated during a press conference in Kabul that Afghanistan had full control over its official borders and had significantly curtailed illegal activities, although Pakistan had not confirmed any casualties.
Previous incursions by Pakistan into Afghanistan targeted alleged militant hideouts in remote, mountainous regions. However, recent heavy clashes on Saturday night along the border highlighted escalating tensions between the two nations.
The Afghan Defense Ministry announced successful retaliatory operations along the border and affirmed readiness to defend national borders against any future violations. The key Torkham border crossing, vital for trade between both countries, did not open as scheduled on Sunday, contributing to increased security concerns in the region.
Pakistan accuses Afghan authorities of sheltering members of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, attributing deadly attacks within its borders to this group. Conversely, Kabul denies these allegations, emphasizing its commitment to preventing the use of its territory for hostile activities against other nations.
The border clashes have raised fears of regional instability, particularly given historical hostilities between India and Pakistan, which nearly escalated into war earlier this year. Amid these tensions, India has strengthened ties with Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers, further complicating the geopolitical landscape.
International calls for calm have emerged, with regional powers emphasizing the importance of dialogue and restraint to mitigate escalating tensions. Saudi Arabia, having recently signed a mutual defense pact with Pakistan, echoed the need for wisdom and de-escalation to safeguard regional security.
In response to Pakistan’s condemnation of the attack, Afghan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif defended the military’s actions, asserting a forceful response to Afghan provocations. Pakistani security officials shared unverified videos purportedly showing Afghan checkpoints destroyed in the clashes, highlighting the lack of independent verification due to restricted media access to these conflict zones.
Pakistan reportedly regained control of 19 Afghan border posts identified as launch points for attacks, resulting in casualties among Taliban personnel and visible destruction at the captured posts. Despite the 2,611-kilometer shared border known as the Durand Line, Afghanistan has never acknowledged its legitimacy.
