Kabul's Taliban government announced Sunday it conducted major retaliatory operations along the Pakistan border, claiming the death of 58 soldiers and seizure of 25 military posts in response to repeated territorial violations.
Earlier this week saw Kabul and an eastern market were targeted by alleged Pakistani bombing operations, according to Afghan authorities, though Islamabad has not claimed responsibility, AP reported. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told a press conference that 30 additional Pakistani personnel sustained wounds during the fighting. "The situation on all official borders and de facto lines of Afghanistan is under complete control, and illegal activities have been largely prevented," Mujahid stated, according to AP. Pakistani officials offered no immediate casualty confirmation.
Previous Pakistani strikes on Afghan locations targeted suspected hideouts in mountainous regions, but Saturday night's intense clashes underscore deepening bilateral tensions. Afghan Defense Ministry officials characterized the operations as "retaliatory and successful," warning that "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," according to AP. Both the Torkham and Chaman border crossings, which serve as primary trade routes, remained closed Sunday, turning away Afghan refugees and other travelers.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the assault before Afghan casualty claims emerged, stating the military "not only gave a befitting reply to Afghanistan's provocations but also destroyed several of their posts, forcing them to retreat," AP reported. Pakistani security personnel shared unverified videos allegedly showing destroyed Afghan checkpoints, though media access restrictions prevented independent confirmation.
Regional powers intervened diplomatically, with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry urging "restraint, avoidance of escalation and the adoption of dialogue and wisdom to help de-escalate tensions and maintain the security and stability of the region." The kingdom recently finalized a mutual defense pact with Pakistan following Israel's attack on Qatar, apparently extending nuclear protection. Qatar also expressed concern regarding the escalating situation.
Afghanistan has never recognized the 2,611-kilometer (1,622-mile) Durand Line border separating the nations. Pakistan accuses Afghan authorities of harboring Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan members who conduct attacks within Pakistani territory, though Kabul denies permitting its territory for cross-border operations. An anonymous Pakistani security official told AP that Afghan forces opened fire across multiple Khyber Pakhtunkhwa districts, with Pakistani troops responding with heavy weaponry near Tirah and across the Nangarhar province frontier.
