The Taliban’s government in Afghanistan has claimed that its forces carried out retaliatory strikes along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border, killing as many as 58 Pakistani soldiers, in response to what it alleges were recent Pakistani violations of Afghan airspace and territorial sovereignty.
Pakistan, however, rejected the figure and said 23 of its soldiers died in the cross-border clashes — one of the deadliest confrontations between the two sides in years.
What Happened: Clashes Escalate
- According to the Taliban’s defense ministry, the operations were “retaliatory and successful,” targeting multiple Pakistani border posts in response to alleged airstrikes and incursions.
- Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid asserted that some Pakistani positions were overrun and that Afghan forces inflicted heavy losses. The Taliban also acknowledged suffering nine casualties in the fighting.
- Pakistan’s military countered these claims, saying it retaliated with gunfire and artillery, destroyed multiple Afghan positions, and disputed the higher casualty figures.
Border Crossings Shut, Tensions High
In response to the violence, Pakistan closed its major crossings with Afghanistan — Torkham and Chaman — along with several smaller border points, citing security concerns.
The fighting reportedly flared overnight, with intermittent skirmishes continuing in some border zones, notably in Pakistan’s Kurram region.
Motives & Accusations
From Kabul’s perspective, the strikes were justified retaliation for cross-border air raids and aerial violations that Afghan authorities described as aggression.
Pakistan, on the other hand, accused the Taliban of providing sanctuary to militant groups — particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — which have conducted numerous attacks within Pakistani territory. Islamabad argues that this conflict is part of a broader security threat.
The Numbers & Credibility Gaps
The divergent casualty figures highlight how opaque and contested such operations are:
- Taliban claim: 58 Pakistani soldiers killed
- Pakistani military official estimate: 23 soldiers killed
- Taliban own losses: 9 killed
Independent verification is lacking, and both sides are framing the conflict to support their narratives.
Why It Matters
- This marks one of the sharpest escalations between Kabul and Islamabad since the Taliban’s return to power.
- Border stability is essential for both countries, especially given ongoing security challenges with militant factions.
- The clash risks provoking further retaliation and undermines any efforts of diplomatic de-escalation already underway.
- For civilians living in border districts, the danger is real — crossfire, displaced people, and disruption of cross-border trade and travel.
