Afghanistan’s Taliban government has confirmed attacks on Pakistani troops in several mountainous areas along the shared northern border.
The hostilities erupted after Afghan officials accused Pakistan of violating their airspace and bombing a market inside Afghanistan’s territory late last week.
Both countries now present differing accounts of casualties and actions. As the confrontation continued, Pakistan responded by closing border crossings with Afghanistan and issuing stern warnings.
Regional actors weighed in, calling for restraint and dialogue as uncertainty spread among civilian populations in the border region.
Why did Kabul claim airspace violation?
Afghanistan’s Taliban spokesman blamed the Pakistani military for violating Afghan airspace during a reported bombing raid against a market in Paktika province.
Kabul claims that the attack targeted civilians, causing significant destruction among shops and local traders. This allegation was central in triggering retaliatory steps by Afghan border forces.
Pakistani officials have disputed the charge, stating that their operations targeted militant hideouts, not civilian infrastructure.
Islamabad categorically denies any deliberate encroachment on Afghan airspace, framing its actions as defensive responses to repeated incursions and attacks originating from Afghan soil.
Did you know?
Pakistan closed two main border crossings, Torkham and Chaman, leaving hundreds of trucks stranded on both sides of the border.
How did the border exchange escalate into violence?
The tension between the two states rapidly intensified after the alleged bombing. Taliban fighters launched retaliatory strikes against Pakistani military patrols in multiple mountainous locations, primarily in the Kunar-Kurram region.
Both sides reportedly employed small arms and artillery, leading to several deadly exchanges overnight.
Pakistani forces claimed to have neutralized hundreds of Taliban and associated militants in their counteroperations.
They described the Afghan moves as unprovoked assaults and issued warnings of proportional responses to any future violations.
What are the latest casualty figures from both sides?
A Taliban spokesman stated that 58 Pakistani military personnel died in the retaliatory attacks, with an additional 30 wounded.
The Taliban also acknowledged losing nine of their fighters in the clashes; local sources reported at least 16 more were injured.
Pakistan disputed these figures, instead confirming 23 soldiers killed and 29 wounded.
According to Islamabad, up to 200 Taliban and affiliated fighters were neutralized, though Afghan sources have disputed these numbers as inflated and lacking transparency.
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How have border closures impacted trade and civilians?
Pakistan responded to the incidents by shutting the two busiest crossings with Afghanistan, Torkham and Chaman. Hundreds of trucks carrying essential goods, including food and medical supplies, now remain stranded on either side.
The closures threaten livelihoods and disrupt regular cross-border exchanges, extending the impact beyond military concerns.
Local communities, particularly those residing near Kunar, Kurram, and Paktika, have reported an increase in insecurity and shortages of key commodities since the closure.
Humanitarian organizations have expressed concern that ongoing restrictions will exacerbate the situation for civilians already facing challenging economic conditions in the area.
What diplomatic responses have emerged from regional players?
Calls for restraint have echoed across the region. India made diplomatic overtures, reopening its embassy in Kabul after a four-year closure and hosting the Afghan foreign minister for negotiations.
Saudi Arabia, recently a Pakistani defense ally, urged both nations to avoid escalation. Qatar joined international voices pressing for dialogue and the prioritization of peaceful solutions.
Meanwhile, both Afghan and Pakistani officials continued to exchange accusations in media briefings, highlighting unresolved issues around territorial integrity and cross-border militant activity.
Regional security remains on edge, with observers noting the potential for further escalation if diplomatic progress falters.
The situation has revealed complex layers of mistrust, historical grievances, and evolving alliances in South Asia, underscoring the urgency for a stable resolution as national interests collide.
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