The Pakistani military reported that Taliban have launched “unprovoked heavy weapons fire” on its outposts near the border.
In a report released by Pakistan armed forces on social media on Saturday, Pakistan’s military said its forces responded with counterfire that killed more than 15 militants and inflicted significant losses on Taliban fighters. The military also stated that the clash was sparked by an infiltration attempt allegedly supported by Afghan Taliban elements.
Taliban, however, offered a different account. They said the attack was a response to recent Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province. According to the Taliban, those strikes, which targeted a refugee camp in the Barmal district, killed 46 people, including women and children.
Taliban spokespersons asserted that they had targeted “malicious elements” across the border in Pakistan, but did not specify whether their actions were directed at Pakistani security forces.
This latest exchange has heightened tensions between Islamabad and Taliban, as relations between the neighboring countries continue to deteriorate. Pakistan has long accused Taliban of harboring militants from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a group responsible for a wave of deadly attacks on Pakistani security forces.
The TTP, which shares ideological ties with the Afghan Taliban, has intensified its operations since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021. Pakistan alleges that Afghan authorities have provided a safe haven for TTP fighters, a charge the Taliban government denies.
On Saturday, Pakistan’s military reiterated its stance, stating on its official X account that it had successfully thwarted infiltration attempts from militants allegedly linked to the Taliban.
The Taliban, however, rejected these allegations and accused Pakistan of violating Afghanistan’s sovereignty through cross-border airstrikes.
Rising Regional Instability
The renewed hostilities along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border come at a time of increasing instability in the region. Cross-border violence has surged in recent months, with both sides trading accusations of provocations and violations.
Analysts warn that escalating military actions could further strain relations between the two countries, complicating efforts to address shared security concerns and the broader humanitarian crisis facing millions of Afghans displaced by ongoing conflict and economic turmoil.
Neither side has offered independent verification of casualty figures, and the situation along the border remains tense.
