The Taliban announced that its forces killed 58 Pakistani soldiers and captured 25 border posts during overnight clashes along the Durand Line, marking one of the deadliest escalations between the two neighbors in recent years. The Taliban reported losing nine fighters and said around 30 Pakistani soldiers were wounded, although Pakistan has not confirmed these figures. The clashes followed Pakistani artillery strikes on Taliban positions in Helmand and Paktika provinces, which the Taliban condemned as violations of Afghan territory. This escalation comes as Afghanistan seeks to strengthen regional ties, with Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on his first official visit to India since the Taliban took power.
What sparked the deadly clashes?
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told reporters in Kabul that the attacks were retaliation for Pakistani artillery strikes targeting Taliban positions in Helmand and Paktika provinces. He also addressed earlier reports of explosions in Kabul, clarifying, “The sound heard in Kabul two nights ago was investigated and found to be caused by airplanes producing noises similar to explosions, aiming to cause fear and violating Afghan airspace.”
The Taliban said their forces attacked Pakistani military posts across several provinces, including Kandahar, Helmand, Zabul, Nangarhar, Paktia, Paktika, and Khost, reportedly capturing more than 20 Pakistani posts.
ISIS-K allegations
The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an al-Qaeda-linked group banned since 2011, aims to overthrow Pakistan’s government and impose strict Islamic law. With an estimated 30,000 to 35,000 members, the TTP has gained strength following the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul, reuniting factions and intensifying attacks. Violence in Pakistan in 2024 reached levels not seen since 2015, according to the Pak Institute for Peace Studies. A UN report from July 2025 accused the TTP of receiving logistical and operational support from Taliban authorities—an allegation Kabul denies. In response, Pakistan has carried out cross-border airstrikes and expelled over a million Afghan refugees since last year.
Mujahid also accused Pakistan of harboring and supporting the Islamic State Khorasan branch (ISIS-K), stating, “ISIS leaders were living and recruiting in Pakistan and have carried out terrorist attacks inside Afghanistan using Pakistani soil.”
Clashes erupt amid Afghanistan’s diplomatic outreach to India
The border clashes erupted at a sensitive time, coinciding with Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s first official visit to India since the Taliban takeover. The visit underscores Kabul’s efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties in the region despite escalating border tensions with Pakistan.
During his visit, Muttaqi expressed support for India’s sovereignty over Jammu and Kashmir. In a joint statement with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, both countries emphasized respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Muttaqi also reaffirmed Afghanistan’s commitment not to allow any group or individual to use Afghan territory against India. Pakistan reacted strongly to the joint statement’s reference to Jammu and Kashmir as part of India, calling it a violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
The Durand Line dispute
The Durand Line, drawn in 1893, separates Afghanistan and Pakistan but has never been formally recognized by Afghanistan. It has long been a source of tension, with both sides accusing each other of cross-border incursions and interference.
Border closures escalate tensions
Following the clashes, Pakistan has closed key border crossings with Afghanistan. The Spin Boldak-Chaman crossing was shut to all traffic on Sunday, according to Hafiz Ali Muhammad Haqmal, Spin Boldak’s information officer. The Torkham crossing in eastern Nangarhar was also closed to all movement, confirmed by Qureshi Badloon, information officer at Nangarhar’s Information and Culture Department, who stated on Facebook that Pakistani authorities have halted all travel and transport at the border.
