A deadly escalation in the Afghanistan Pakistan border clashes left dozens dead overnight, as Kabul claimed its forces killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in retaliatory operations. Pakistan disputed the figure, saying 23 troops were killed in what it described as unprovoked aggression.
The overnight violence marks one of the bloodiest episodes in years along the disputed frontier, threatening to push two nuclear neighbors toward deeper conflict.
Afghan Forces Claim Control in Ongoing Border Clashes
At a news conference in Kabul, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Afghan forces conducted “retaliatory and successful operations” after repeated Pakistan border violations.
He claimed that Afghan forces had captured 25 Pakistani outposts and wounded more than 30 Pakistani soldiers.
“All official borders and de facto lines of Afghanistan are under our full control. Illegal activities have been prevented,” Mujahid said.
The Taliban’s Defense Ministry added that Afghan troops acted in response to alleged cross-border shelling earlier in the week. It warned that any further violation of Afghan territory would trigger “a stronger response.”
These latest Afghanistan Pakistan border clashes come amid months of rising hostility and mutual accusations of harboring militants.
Pakistan Denies Losses, Claims Retaliation
Pakistan’s military rejected Afghanistan’s version of events. In a statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned what he called unprovoked attacks but said Pakistan’s army “gave a befitting reply.”
“Our forces responded effectively and destroyed several enemy posts,” Sharif said. “Afghanistan must respect our sovereignty.”
Security officials in Islamabad said the army recaptured 19 Afghan positions, claiming the Taliban had fled after facing heavy artillery. Officials reported that fires and explosions were visible at several Afghan sites.
Despite conflicting casualty numbers, both sides admitted that the situation along the Afghanistan Pakistan border remained “extremely tense.”
Border Crossings Closed After Overnight Violence
Following the clashes, the Torkham and Chaman crossings — the main trade routes between the two countries — were shut down. Thousands of civilians, including Afghan refugees leaving Pakistan, were stranded.
An Associated Press reporter in Chaman heard fighter jets over Spin Boldak in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province, followed by explosions and rising smoke.
Residents said the ground shook during the night as both sides exchanged heavy fire. “It felt like an earthquake,” one trader in Chaman said.
Background: Decades of Border Tensions
The two nations share a 2,611-kilometer (1,622-mile) boundary known as the Durand Line — a colonial-era demarcation Afghanistan never formally recognized.
Tensions have persisted for decades, but the Afghanistan Pakistan border clashes have intensified since the Taliban seized power in Kabul in 2021.
Islamabad accuses the Taliban government of sheltering Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, who carry out attacks in Pakistan. Kabul denies the charge, insisting it does not allow any group to use its soil against another state.
Pakistan, facing a surge in terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, says it can no longer tolerate cross-border militancy.
Regional Powers Urge Restraint
The violence drew concern from across the region. The Saudi Foreign Ministry urged both countries to “show restraint and pursue dialogue.”
“De-escalation and wisdom are essential to protect regional stability,” Saudi Arabia said in a statement.
Qatar echoed the call, warning that further clashes could threaten peace efforts in South Asia.
The diplomatic appeals came just weeks after Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a mutual defense pact, deepening military ties amid growing regional tensions.
India Monitors Situation as Tensions Spread
India, which has strengthened ties with the Taliban government, said it was monitoring the situation closely.
New Delhi recently upgraded its Kabul mission to a full embassy, signaling warmer relations with the Afghan authorities. Analysts say India’s involvement could complicate Islamabad’s position further.
“These clashes risk pushing South Asia into another dangerous spiral,” said security analyst Dr. Samina Qureshi. “If unchecked, both sides may lose control of their borders entirely.”
The Afghanistan Pakistan border clashes have already disrupted trade and could derail peace initiatives involving India, China, and Central Asian states.
Afghan Foreign Minister Calls for Peace, Warns of Defense
Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, speaking during an official visit to India, said Afghanistan respected international calls for restraint but reserved the right to defend its sovereignty.
“We want a peaceful resolution,” Muttaqi told reporters. “But if peace efforts fail, we have other options.”
He noted that Afghanistan remains open to mediation by “friendly nations,” including China and Turkey, to prevent escalation.
Muttaqi also accused Pakistan of “creating excuses to justify military action” instead of resolving disputes through talks.
Civilians Flee as Humanitarian Fears Grow
Aid agencies report that hundreds of families have fled their homes near the border, particularly in Kandahar, Nangarhar, and Khyber.
Humanitarian workers warn that continued violence could cut off supply routes and humanitarian access, worsening conditions for refugees already displaced by past conflicts.
“Every new clash disrupts trade and aid delivery,” said a Red Crescent official. “We need calm to prevent another humanitarian disaster.”
Diplomatic Channels Remain Open, but Fragile
Despite military claims of control, reports indicate ongoing skirmishes in North Waziristan and Kurram. Both sides have reinforced troops along the frontier, and media access to affected zones remains limited.
Diplomatic sources in Islamabad say China and Turkey have quietly offered to mediate talks between Kabul and Islamabad. However, both capitals remain firm on defending their “territorial integrity.”
For now, a fragile calm holds — but analysts warn that the next Afghanistan Pakistan border clashes could ignite a wider regional confrontation if diplomacy fails.
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