Pakistan Army Chief Visits Border After Deadly Clashes With Taliban

In a statement, the Pakistan Army said Taliban forces launched coordinated attacks from multiple points along the Durand Line targeting Pakistani border positions, prompting “immediate retaliatory action” from Pakistani troops.

According to the army, more than 200 Taliban members and allied fighters, including militants from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and ISIS-Khorasan, were killed in the fighting. Several Taliban border posts were hit, and some of their positions were “temporarily captured,” the statement said.

The military added that the operation aimed to “defend Pakistan’s borders and prevent militant infiltration.” It said 29 Pakistani soldiers were wounded in the clashes, and several Taliban bases and compounds were damaged during counterattacks. The army noted that “all necessary measures were taken to avoid civilian casualties,” adding that Pakistani forces remain “on full alert.”

Earlier on Saturday, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed that 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed, 30 were wounded and 25 Pakistani border posts were captured during the overnight fighting along the Durand Line.

The conflicting casualty figures could not be independently verified. The clashes mark one of the deadliest escalations between the Taliban and Pakistani forces in recent months, amid rising tensions over cross-border militant activity.

Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi on Friday, Muttaqi did not specify what those options might entail but said that relations between the two countries should not be undermined by the actions of “a particular circle within the Pakistani military.”

He stressed that the Taliban has no quarrel with the people of Pakistan and that “the door to dialogue remains open.”

Muttaqi claimed that the Taliban had “achieved their objectives” in recent border operations, saying it was now an appropriate time to resolve ongoing tensions through dialogue.

The Taliban foreign minister also rejected Islamabad’s claims that members of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are operating inside Afghanistan, describing the allegations as “false.”

The remarks follow a series of deadly cross-border clashes between Taliban and Pakistani forces, which have sharply escalated tensions between Kabul and Islamabad in recent days.

The report said that militants opposed to Pakistan were present at the targeted site. It added that the airstrike was part of ongoing operations aimed at eliminating groups accused of launching cross-border attacks into Pakistan.

The Taliban authorities in Kandahar and Kabul have not yet commented on the claims, and there has been no independent confirmation of the reported airstrike.

The incident comes amid escalating tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban government, following a series of deadly clashes and mutual accusations of harbouring militant groups on each other’s territory.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the assaults originated from Afghan territory and targeted several areas, including Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, Chitral and Baramcha. In retaliation, the Pakistani army conducted counter-operations and struck “multiple militant positions,” the statement said.

Sharif vowed that Pakistan would defend its territorial integrity, warning that “no provocation or aggression will go unanswered.” He praised the army’s actions as “professional and courageous” and said the Pakistani people “stand united with their armed forces.”

The latest escalation comes amid heightened tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, with both governments trading accusations of harbouring militants responsible for cross-border attacks.

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Mujahid claimed that “certain circles” in Pakistan were unhappy with Afghanistan’s improved security and progress in political, economic and social sectors. He said these elements “cannot tolerate Afghanistan’s stability and have therefore resorted to conspiracies.”

According to Mujahid, this “particular circle” operates within Pakistan’s army and has been working to undermine the Taliban administration. He urged Islamabad to reconsider its policies towards Afghanistan, warning that continued interference would harm bilateral relations.

Mujahid also alleged that regional countries were aware of Islamic State (ISIS) safe havens inside Pakistan. He said the group was responsible for attacks on Shias, Sufis and Hindus in Afghanistan, and called on the Pakistani government to hand over ISIS leaders allegedly hiding on its territory.

The remarks come amid growing tensions between Kabul and Islamabad, with both sides accusing each other of harbouring militant groups that threaten regional security.