A fierce exchange of gunfire along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border over the weekend has resulted in significant casualties and heightened diplomatic friction. The confrontation began late Saturday when Afghan forces, under the governance of the Taliban, launched assaults on Pakistani border posts. Kabul has stated these attacks were in retaliation for alleged Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan soil from earlier in the week.
Both Islamabad and Kabul have issued vastly different accounts of the fighting, with each side claiming to have inflicted more damage on the other. Border crossings were sealed on Sunday amid the escalating hostilities.
The genesis of the conflict stems from Afghan officials accusing Pakistan of conducting airstrikes on Kabul and a market in the country’s east on Thursday night. While Pakistan has not confirmed any involvement, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid declared that Afghanistan would defend its territory.
Casualty reports remain widely divergent. Afghan authorities reported the deaths of 58 Pakistani soldiers and injuries to around 30. Conversely, Pakistan stated 23 of its troops were killed, while claiming to have eliminated over 200 Taliban and associated fighters in the ensuing firefight. Independent verification of these numbers is not possible at this time.
Bilateral relations have been historically tense since the Taliban took control in 2021. Pakistan has frequently accused the Taliban regime of sheltering militants, especially members of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), who have been linked to numerous attacks within Pakistan. Afghanistan has consistently denied these allegations. The two nations share the 2,611-kilometer Durand Line, a border that Afghanistan does not recognize.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the Afghan “provocations” and vowed a decisive response. “There will be no compromise on Pakistan’s defence, and every provocation will be met with a strong and effective response,” he stated, accusing the Afghan leadership of allowing their territory to be used by “terrorist elements.”
Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi warned that Afghanistan has “other options” if Pakistan is unwilling to pursue dialogue, hinting at potential internal Pakistani efforts to worsen relations. Pakistan’s foreign minister urged the Taliban to take action against militant groups that threaten peace. Reports suggest that mediation efforts by Qatar and Saudi Arabia have helped de-escalate the situation and cease the cross-border strikes.