Pakistan recently sealed its border crossings with Afghanistan following intense overnight exchanges of fire between forces from both nations. Kabul has alleged that these clashes resulted in the deaths of 58 Pakistani soldiers.
Afghan troops initiated fire on Pakistani border posts late on Saturday, with Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence asserting this was a direct retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes conducted in Afghan territory earlier in the week. Pakistan confirmed its forces responded with gun and artillery fire.
While Afghanistan reported 58 Pakistani soldiers killed, it did not provide specific details on how these casualty figures were ascertained. Additionally, the Afghan Ministry stated that 20 Afghan troops were either killed or injured in the confrontation.
Pakistan has yet to issue an official response regarding Afghanistan’s casualty claims. However, Pakistani security officials mentioned inflicting casualties on Afghan forces, without specifying numbers.
Both countries have claimed to have successfully destroyed enemy border posts. Pakistani security officials released video footage, which they stated showed Afghan positions being struck.
By Sunday morning, the primary exchange of fire had largely subsided, according to Pakistani security officials. Nevertheless, intermittent gunfire persisted in Pakistan’s Kurram area, as reported by local officials and residents.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence had previously announced the conclusion of their operation at midnight local time.
Kabul declared on Sunday that it had ceased its attacks following appeals from Qatar and Saudi Arabia, both of whom had expressed serious concern over the border clashes.
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Taliban administration, affirmed on Sunday, “There is no kind of threat in any part of Afghanistan’s territory.” He added, “The Islamic Emirate and the people of Afghanistan will defend their land and remain resolute and committed in this defence.”
Mujahid also indicated that fighting was still ongoing in certain areas.
Islamabad frequently accuses the Taliban administration of providing sanctuary to militants who orchestrate attacks within Pakistan, a charge vehemently denied by Kabul.
Border Closure
Pakistan’s two primary border crossings with Afghanistan, Torkham and Chaman, were shut down on Sunday, local officials confirmed. Additionally, at least three smaller crossings—Kharlachi, Angoor Adda, and Ghulam Khan—were also closed.
Kabul has not yet commented on the border closures. Landlocked Afghanistan shares a 2,600-kilometer (1,600-mile) border with Pakistan.
The Pakistani airstrikes, though not officially acknowledged by Islamabad, reportedly targeted a leader of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant group in Kabul last Thursday, according to a Pakistani security official. The fate of this leader remains uncertain.
The TTP is actively engaged in efforts to overthrow the Islamabad government and replace it with a strict Islamic system of governance. Mujahid, on Sunday, reiterated his denial that TTP fighters are permitted to operate from Afghan soil.