Afghanistan reported on Sunday that it had eliminated 58 Pakistani soldiers during border operations conducted overnight, citing repeated violations of its territorial integrity and airspace by Pakistan. The tensions escalated earlier in the week when Afghan officials accused Pakistan of carrying out airstrikes in Kabul and a market in eastern Afghanistan, although Pakistan did not acknowledge any involvement in these incidents.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Taliban government, stated that Afghan forces had seized 25 Pakistani army posts, resulting in the death of 58 soldiers and injuries to 30 others. Mujahid emphasized that Afghan forces had the situation along the official borders and de facto lines under control, preventing illegal activities. Pakistan had not confirmed the casualties at the time of the statement.
In the past, Pakistan has launched attacks inside Afghanistan, targeting alleged militant hideouts primarily in remote, mountainous regions. The recent heavy clashes on Saturday night highlighted the escalating tensions between the two neighboring nations.
The Defence Ministry of the Taliban government announced successful retaliatory operations along the border, warning of a strong response if Afghanistan’s territorial integrity is violated again. The Torkham border crossing, a key trade route between Afghanistan and Pakistan, did not open as scheduled, contributing to the heightened security situation.
The closure of the Chaman crossing in southwest Pakistan further exacerbated the situation, with individuals, including Afghan refugees, being turned away due to security concerns. Reports of jets flying over Spin Boldak in Afghanistan and subsequent explosions added to the volatile atmosphere in the region.
Amidst the escalating conflict, regional powers have called for calm. Pakistan has accused Afghanistan of sheltering members of the banned group Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, alleging their involvement in cross-border attacks. On the other hand, Afghanistan denies these accusations and asserts that it does not permit its territory to be used against other nations.
The recent border clashes could potentially destabilize the region further, with historical tensions between India and Pakistan adding to the complexity of the situation. India has strengthened ties with Afghanistan’s Taliban leadership, while Saudi Arabia has urged restraint and dialogue to de-escalate tensions and maintain regional security.
In response to the Afghan claim of casualties, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the assault, stating that Pakistan’s army had effectively responded to Afghanistan’s provocations. Pakistan released videos showing destroyed Afghan checkpoints, although independent verification of the footage was not possible due to restricted media access to these areas.
Pakistani security officials reported instances of Afghan forces opening fire in several border regions, heightening concerns over the escalating conflict. Pakistan asserted its control over 19 Afghan border posts allegedly used for launching attacks, leading to clashes and destruction in the captured areas.
Despite sharing a border known as the Durand Line, spanning 2,611 kilometers, Afghanistan has never officially recognized it, adding a longstanding territorial dispute to the current tensions between the two nations.
