IRIA News

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Intense fighting erupted at the Pakistan-Afghan border along multiple points on October 11, 2025. Pakistan’s military confirmed the deaths of 23 soldiers and said more than 200 Taliban fighters were killed in strikes.

Afghanistan also claimed to have captured 25 Pakistani border posts during the clashes. Kabul reported that only nine Taliban fighters were killed and several others injured. However, these claims have not been independently verified.

Pakistani military’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) described the Taliban combatants as “terrorists and their facilitators,” adding that several Taliban outposts and hideouts near the border had been destroyed. Independent verification of casualty figures has not yet been possible.

Pakistan Army said in a statement, “Afghan Taliban and Indian-sponsored Fitna al Khawarij (FAK) launched an unprovoked attack on Pakistan, along the Pak-Afghan border. The cowardly action, which included fire and few physical raids, was aimed at destabilizing the border areas to facilitate terrorism, furthering FAK’s nefarious designs.”

ISPR statement added that as a result of Pakistan Army’s operation, “multiple Taliban locations were destroyed all along the border, twenty-one (21) hostile positions on the Afghan side of border were also briefly physically captured and multiple terrorist training camps, used to plan and facilitate attacks against Pakistan, were rendered inoperative.”

Pakistan has urged the Taliban government in Afghanistan to take immediate and verifiable measures against terrorist groups allegedly operating from Afghan territory. Citing concerns for regional peace and security, Islamabad called on Kabul to act decisively against terrorist organizations such as the FAK, FAH, and ISKP/Daesh, which pose ongoing threats to Pakistan’s stability.

Pakistani military officials warned that if concrete steps are not taken, Pakistan will continue to exercise its right to defend its citizens through the sustained neutralization of terrorist targets across the border.

Escalation Follows Airstrike

Afghan officials described the attacks as “retaliatory operations” in response to alleged Pakistani airstrikes earlier in the week in Kabul and eastern provinces. Pakistan has not officially claimed responsibility for those strikes but has repeatedly asserted its right to act against militant groups it says are operating from Afghan soil.

The fighting marked one of the most serious confrontations between the two sides since the Taliban seized power in 2021. It also coincided with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to India, a development seen in Islamabad as a potential provocation. The timing of the clashes has further strained relations already damaged by Pakistan’s accusations that the Taliban government provides shelter to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

A recent United Nations report said the TTP continues to receive logistical and operational support from elements within the Taliban administration. Islamabad has accused Kabul of ignoring repeated requests to curb TTP activities, warning that patience is running out.

Border Crossings Closed

Following the overnight violence, Pakistan shut down several main and minor border crossings, including Torkham, Chaman, Kharlachi, Angoor Adda, and Ghulam Khan. The major trade route at Torkham remained closed on Sunday as both sides reinforced their positions.

Officials said sporadic gunfire continued in Pakistan’s Kurram area, while additional troops were deployed to key crossings. Pakistani border personnel reported no fresh casualties by Sunday morning, though tensions remained high along the frontier.

Afghan Foreign Minister Muttaqi, speaking during his India visit, said the Taliban operation had “achieved its objectives.” He added that following appeals from Qatar and Saudi Arabia, hostilities had ceased and the situation along the border was now under control.

Official Responses and Condemnations

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned what he called Afghan “provocations,” vowing a strong and effective response to any attack on Pakistani territory. He accused the Taliban government of allowing Afghan soil to be used by terrorist groups targeting Pakistan.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence, however, described its operations as defensive, saying they were launched after repeated Pakistani “violations” of Afghan airspace. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistan’s air operations earlier in the week had crossed into Afghan territory, though he later referred to them as “airspace violations” rather than confirmed airstrikes.

Regional countries, including Iran, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, urged both sides to show restraint and engage in dialogue. The Saudi Foreign Ministry called for de-escalation and reaffirmed support for peace efforts aimed at ensuring stability for both nations.

Rising Violence and Broader Implications

Since the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces from Afghanistan in 2021, violence has surged along the frontier. Pakistan has witnessed a sharp increase in militant attacks, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility for most of these assaults, which have targeted security personnel and installations.

According to Pakistan’s military, more than 500 people, including 311 soldiers and 73 police officers, have been killed in militant attacks this year alone. Officials describe the current wave of violence as the deadliest in over a decade.

Former diplomats and regional analysts warn that the recent clashes have pushed Pakistan–Afghanistan relations to an all-time low. They argue that both sides must return to diplomacy before the conflict escalates further. “This TTP issue has become a major sticking point,” one analyst said, noting that without progress on counterterrorism cooperation, the situation will remain volatile.

While both governments have indicated a temporary halt in hostilities, the underlying tensions remain unresolved. Pakistan’s demand for Kabul to take action against the TTP continues to be the central issue driving confrontation.

For now, the border is calm but tense, with additional Pakistani troops stationed along key crossings and Afghan fighters maintaining fortified positions. Regional mediators, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia, are expected to continue efforts to prevent another outbreak of violence.

Without tangible progress on counter-militant coordination and mutual security assurances, observers warn that this fragile calm could quickly give way to renewed fighting, threatening not only bilateral relations but also the broader stability of South and Central Asia.