Taliban Claims Retaliatory Attack on Pakistani Troops Amid Border Tensions

Mon Oct 20 2025 22:16:37 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The Afghan Taliban asserts that it has retaliated against Pakistani forces, resulting in significant casualties on both sides amid escalating border tensions.

The Taliban government recently launched attacks on Pakistani troops at the northern border, claiming 58 Pakistani military personnel were killed in retaliation for airspace violations. Pakistan disputes this figure, asserting its own losses were fewer, while claiming to have neutralized many Taliban fighters. The ongoing border skirmishes have led to closed crossings, heightened accusations from both sides, and calls for calm from international observers.

The Taliban government has confirmed that it attacked Pakistani troops in multiple mountainous locations on the northern border.

A Taliban spokesman said 58 Pakistani military personnel had been killed in what it called an act of retaliation. It claimed Pakistan had violated Afghan airspace and bombed a market inside its border on Thursday.

Pakistan has disputed that figure, saying 23 of its armed forces' members had died and claiming that 200 Taliban and affiliated terrorists have been neutralized.

Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the Afghan attacks were unprovoked and civilians were fired at, warning that his country's forces would respond with a stone for every brick.

Islamabad has accused Kabul of harbouring terrorists who target Pakistan on its soil, a claim the Taliban government rejected.

Both sides are said to have used small arms and artillery in the Kunar-Kurram region. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid stated that in addition to the 58 Pakistani military deaths, around 30 others had been wounded. He added that nine Taliban fighters had died and between 16 and 18 people had been injured.

Pakistan Armed Forces said 29 of its soldiers had been hurt, and the number of injured Taliban and affiliated fighters was in the hundreds.

Afghanistan’s foreign minister stated that they have no problems with Pakistan's people and leadership, but there are groups trying to spoil the situation. He emphasized the right to retaliate against violations.

Pakistan's Interior Minister condemned the Taliban's attacks as a violation of international laws, warning that Afghanistan's aggressive actions could lead to further strife.

The two main crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan - Torkham in the north and Chaman in the south - have been closed, leaving hundreds of trucks stranded on both sides.

A Pakistani military spokesman reiterated that they would take necessary measures to safeguard lives and property. While official statements from the military regarding specific incidents remain limited, there have been reports of gunfire along the border areas.

The recent incidents coincide with a diplomatic visit by the Afghan Taliban's foreign minister to India, where discussions about reopening dialogues were occurring.

In response to the escalating tensions, international observers, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have called for restraint and dialogue between the two countries.