Afghanistan and Pakistan trade casualty claims after border clash

Afghanistan’s Taliban government stated on Sunday that its forces killed 58 Pakistani soldiers and wounded 30 others in overnight border operations. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, during a press briefing in Kabul, said that “certain elements within the Pakistani security establishment want to destabilise Afghanistan.”

Mujahid said the operations took place at multiple border posts. He added, according to a post by Afghanistan’s TOLO News agency, that the situation at the border with Pakistan was under “complete control, and illegal activities have been largely prevented.”

There was no immediate confirmation from Islamabad about the reported casualties. Pakistani state media outlets on Sunday, however, claimed that the country’s military had captured 19 Afghan posts from where attacks were being launched on Saturday night. A video broadcast by Pakistan Television (PTV) showed Afghan posts in flames and Taliban soldiers allegedly surrendering in Kurram.

Radio Pakistan reported, citing security sources, that the Pakistani army had also completely destroyed the Taliban’s Manojba Camp Battalion Headquarters, Jandusar Post, Turkmenzai Camp, and Kharchar Fort.

Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi called the Afghan attacks “unprovoked” and accused Afghan forces of firing on civilians. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned what he described as a “provocation by Afghanistan in Pakistan’s border areas.” He added, “There will be no compromise on Pakistan’s defence, and every provocation will be met with a strong and effective response.”

The fighting came days after explosions rocked the Afghan capital, Kabul, in an air strike the Taliban blamed on Pakistan. Islamabad neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the attack but said it would do everything necessary to protect its citizens. Pakistan has seen a surge in terrorism in recent months, which it blames on the outlawed group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

In recent years, cross-border tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have intensified, with both sides accusing each other of harbouring militants. On Friday, Islamabad accused the Afghan Taliban of sheltering fighters with the support of India, Pakistan’s regional rival. Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, head of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), claimed that “Indian proxies” were operating from Afghan territory to target Pakistan.

The escalation coincided with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to Delhi, as the two nations normalize ties. During a press conference in the Indian capital on Sunday, Muttaqi denied the presence of TTP fighters in his country.

“If Pakistan wants peace, they have a bigger army and better intelligence — why are they not controlling it? This fight is inside Pakistan. Instead of blaming us, they should control the issues in their territory,” he claimed. The official added Kabul wants “good relations and peace” but is ready to firmly protect its interests and sovereignty.