PESHAWAR/ LANDIKOTAL/ PARACHINAR/ KHAR/GHALLANAI/CHITRAL: Pak security forces Thursday repulsed the Afghan Taliban forces’ coordinated attacks on border posts of Pakistani security forces in multiple locations, killing 58 enemy troops. Pakistan’s military response to the aggression by Afghan forces was ongoing at the time of filing this report. According to latest information given by the security sources, 58 Afghan troops were killed and more than 100 were injured. The sources said 12 Afghan posts were completely destroyed while five posts were captured. A major ammunition depot, three Afghan battalions, and a sector headquarters were completely destroyed, the sources said, adding more than 30 tanks, artillery guns, and APCs were destroyed in the effective ongoing retaliatory operation. The PAF jets also participated in the retaliatory action.
In a statement issued late Thursday night, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said two Pakistan soldiers embraced martyrdom while defending the country, and three others sustained injuries during the clashes.
The minister said that firing by the Afghan Taliban regime in Pakistan’s border areas in defense of the militants had once again exposed before the world Kabul’s support for terrorist elements.
He added that Afghanistan should learn from past setbacks and warned that Pakistan would continue to thwart any hostile designs against the country.
Officials confirmed that clashes were reported near the Torkham border crossing, where both sides reportedly targeted each other’s bunkers.
Afghan authorities vacated certain forward positions and shifted cargo trucks away from the main crossing point as a precautionary measure.
The firing also took place in the areas of Waragha Sar, Maro Sar near Torkham border and Shah Kot Sar, which fall within the jurisdiction of Zakhakhel police station in Landikotal.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoIB) said the security forces have given an “immediate and effective” response to the “unprovoked action” of the Afghan Taliban regime along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border.
“Afghan Taliban miscalculated and opened unprovoked fire on multiple locations across Pakistan Afghanistan border in KP which is being met with immediate, and effective response by Pakistan’s security forces,” said the MoIB in a news statement.
“Taliban regime forces are being delivered punishment in Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram and Bajaur sectors,” the ministry said, confirming “heavy casualties” on Afghan side with multiple posts and equipment destroyed. The ministry said Pakistan would take all necessary measures to ensure its territorial integrity and the safety and security of its citizens.
According to local sources, both heavy and light weapons were used during the firing, causing fear and uncertainty among the residents living close to the border belt. Authorities said no casualties have been reported so far from either side.
However, residents of nearby villages were advised to remain indoors, while movement in sensitive border areas was restricted. Security forces remained on high alert to prevent any further escalation.
Officials have yet to issue a detailed statement explaining the trigger for the latest clashes.
Exchange of fire also started in Arandu border in Chitral late Thursday night. The Afghan forces launched the attack with heavy guns, which was retaliated effectively, the officials said.
Areas in Kurram district came under attack from across the Afghan border as assailants used both small and heavy weapons, officials and local sources said.
According to reports, prior to the assault, an Afghan commander released a video message announcing retaliatory action against Pakistan, claiming it was in response to operations against militants in Afghanistan. The video message later went viral on social media.
Soon after the message surfaced, firing reportedly began targeting several areas of Kurram district, including Borki Kharlachi, Shahdano Dand, Shorki and adjoining localities.
In response, Pakistani security forces launched a strong counter operation against the attackers.
Sources said intense exchanges of fire were ongoing, with flames visible in areas along the Afghan border. The sound of gunfire could be heard from a considerable distance.
Amid the escalating tensions, residents on both sides of the border started relocating to safer places. Locals said that due to the recurring clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, people were forced to migrate every few months. The fresh displacement during the holy month of Ramazan has added to the hardships of people.
Earlier, the Taliban’s spokesperson said on Thursday that Afghanistan had launched offensive operations against Pakistani military positions along the border in retaliation for recent Pakistani airstrikes.
“In response to repeated provocations and violations by Pakistani military circles, large-scale offensive operations have been launched against Pakistani military positions and installations along the Durand Line,” Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Taliban administration, said in a post on X.
Zabiullah Mujahid said they attacked Pakistan to avenge the recent airstrikes on Afghanistan.
A security official said, “False claims and fake videos of Afghan Taliban continue to be spread on media and social media.” Afghan Taliban regime continues to circulate false and fabricated news, with spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid repeatedly issuing misleading statements.
Pakistani government sources say verified updates on the Pakistan–Afghanistan border are being shared regularly through official channels. They said social media accounts linked to India’s RAW are amplifying a false narrative in support of the Afghan Taliban. Authorities have urged the public not to pay attention to unverified or misleading information.
Meanwhile, Qatar Qatar condemned Afghan Taliban forces’ attack on Pakistan’s border posts.
In a statement, Qatar’s ministry of foreign affairs said, “The State of Qatar expresses its condemnation and denunciation of the attacks that took place in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, resulting in deaths and injuries.”
The ministry reiterated Qatar’s firm position rejecting violence, terrorism, and criminal acts, regardless of motives or justifications.
The ministry expressed Qatar’s condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Pakistan, while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
Muhammad Saleh Zaafir adds: Afghanistan’s acting ambassador Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb has termed war-like situation on Pak-Afghan border unfortunate, saying he had no knowledge about the causalities and capture of any post by Afghan forces, which was earlier claimed by Kabul regime’s spokesman.
The envoy had a brief chat with this correspondent late Thursday evening at the residence of UAE ambassador Salem Muhammad Al Zaabi.
The acting envoy claimed that his country doesn’t believe in settlement of the disputes through war but prefer the settlement adopting peaceful means. Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb was visibly disturbed and covered his face with his turban’s extended cloth.
When asked about the claims being made by Taliban regime regarding fighting, he said, “Let me gather details.”
To a query on the occasion, Ambassador Salem told Abu Dhabi would soon make an announcement about further rolling over its credit for Pakistan.
