Clashes erupt between Pakistan Army and Afghan forces along border
Security sources have reported that recent firing along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border was aimed at facilitating the illegal entry of Khwarij — the state-designated term for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — into Pakistani territory, according to The Express Tribune.
“The counteroffensive effectively targeted and destroyed multiple Afghan posts at the border. Dozens of Afghan soldiers and Khwarij were killed in retaliatory fire,” The Express Tribune cited security sources as saying.
Taliban border forces stated that the clashes erupted after Kabul accused Islamabad of conducting air strikes on the Afghan capital earlier this week. In a statement reported by Dawn, the Afghan military said, “In retaliation for the air strikes by Pakistani forces, Taliban border forces in the east are engaged in heavy clashes against Pakistani forces’ posts in various border areas.”
Officials from Taliban-controlled provinces along the border — including Kunar, Nangarhar, Paktika, Khost, and Helmand — confirmed the clashes.
While Islamabad has not confirmed responsibility for the attacks, it urged Kabul “to stop harbouring the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on its soil,” as reported by Dawn.
Earlier on Friday, former US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad expressed concern over Pakistan’s reported strikes in Kabul, calling them a “huge escalation” that poses dangerous risks. In a post on X, Khalilzad called for dialogue between Islamabad and Kabul, emphasizing that military escalation is not the answer. He urged both sides to negotiate to address the issue of terrorist sanctuaries along the Durand Line.
Late Thursday evening, an explosion was reportedly heard in Kabul. Afghanistan’s spokesperson Zabihullah stated that no damage reports have emerged so far and investigations are ongoing. “The sound of an explosion was heard in the city of Kabul. However, no one should worry; it is all well and good. The investigation is underway, and no report of any damage has been given so far,” he reassured.
On October 10, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told the National Assembly that “collateral damage” cannot be ruled out in response if Pakistani security forces come under attack. He added firmly that “enough is enough,” as reported by Dawn.
This escalation by Pakistan comes amid Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi’s week-long visit to India — the first high-level visit from Kabul since the Taliban took power in August 2021.
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