ISLAMABAD: Intense clashes broke out along multiple points of the Pak–Afghan border late Saturday night following unprovoked attacks by Afghan Taliban forces on Pakistani border posts, security sources confirmed.
According to officials, Afghan forces opened fire at several Pakistani positions without provocation. The Pakistan Army responded swiftly and forcefully, using artillery, tanks, drones, and both light and heavy weapons to target Afghan posts and militant hideouts across the border.
Security sources said multiple Afghan positions and Kharijite formations suffered significant losses during the retaliatory strikes.
Initial reports indicated that clashes took place in Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, Chitral, and Baramcha (Balochistan), where Pakistani posts came under simultaneous attacks.
Pakistan’s counteroffensive targeted Afghan border installations, Daesh hideouts, and Kharijite networks reportedly operating with support from the interim Afghan government.
Taliban officials from Kunar, Nangarhar, Paktika, Khost, and Helmand provinces confirmed the ongoing fighting. The Afghan Ministry of Defence claimed that its forces launched “retaliatory operations” against Pakistan and warned that any future “violation” of Afghan territory would be met with a firm response. The operations reportedly ended around midnight.
The clashes followed Kabul’s accusations earlier in the week that Pakistan had carried out air strikes on Afghan territory, including the capital, which Islamabad did not confirm.
Pakistan instead urged the Afghan authorities to stop harbouring Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants on their soil, warning that its patience had run out after repeated cross-border attacks.
A statement issued by security sources said: “Several Afghan soldiers were killed, and Kharijite formations retreated due to the effective response by Pakistani forces. Afghan posts failed to provide cover fire to militants, suffering heavy damage in return.”
Over the past week, relations between the two neighbours have deteriorated sharply. Pakistan has suffered several martyrdoms of security personnel in intelligence-based operations against militants allegedly operating from Afghan territory. Islamabad has repeatedly called on Kabul to take action against these groups.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi accused Pakistan of violating Afghan airspace and bombing a civilian market in Paktika province near the Durand Line. He reiterated the accusation during a visit to India, marking the Taliban government’s first high-level engagement with New Delhi since 2021.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry refrained from confirming whether Pakistan conducted strikes inside Kabul, but emphasized the country’s right to defend itself. “Measures necessary to safeguard Pakistani lives and property will be taken,” he stated.
The Foreign Office also avoided direct acknowledgment, framing the actions as legitimate self-defence against militants based in Afghanistan.
