Taliban Claims Retaliatory Attack on Pakistani Troops Amid Border Tensions

Mon Oct 13 2025 18:07:39 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The Afghan Taliban's recent assaults on Pakistani forces have escalated border tensions, with conflicting casualty reports and strong condemnations from both sides.

The Taliban has confirmed its attack on Pakistani troops, alleging a retaliatory motive following airspace violations by Pakistan. While the Taliban claims 58 Pakistani military personnel were killed, Pakistan disputes this, stating the death toll stands at 23. The escalating conflict has led to significant border closures and heightened military readiness on both sides, with guarantees of further reprisals from Pakistan.

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

A Taliban spokesman stated that 58 Pakistani military personnel have been killed in what it termed an act of retaliation, claiming Pakistan had violated Afghan airspace and bombed a market inside its border on Thursday.

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

Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi described the Afghan attacks as unprovoked, stating that civilians were targeted, and warned that his nation's forces would respond with a stone for every brick.

Islamabad accuses Kabul of sheltering terrorists who carry out attacks on its soil, a claim that the Taliban government has denied.

In the Kunar-Kurram region, both sides have reportedly engaged in gunfire utilizing small arms and artillery.

At a press conference, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid detailed that, in addition to the 58 deaths of Pakistani military personnel, there were around 30 injuries reported. He acknowledged that nine Taliban fighters had lost their lives, with injuries ranging from 16 to 18.

Pakistan Armed Forces have reported 29 soldier injuries, with the number of wounded Taliban and affiliated fighters estimated in the hundreds.

Afghanistan’s foreign minister stated at a press conference in New Delhi, we have no problems with the people and leadership of Pakistan. However, he added, there are some groups in Pakistan that are trying to spoil the situation. He emphasized Afghanistan's right to secure its territory, justifying the retaliatory attacks against what it claims to be violations by Pakistan.

Pakistan's interior minister firmly condemned the Taliban's attacks, calling the firing by Afghan forces on civilian populations a blatant violation of international laws. He warned, Afghanistan is playing a game of fire and blood as tensions simmer between the two nations.

The conflict has resulted in the closure of the main border crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan—Torkham in the north and Chaman in the south—stranding hundreds of trucks carrying goods on both sides.

A military spokesperson from Pakistan assured necessary measures would be taken to protect lives and property in Pakistan, while a source suggested that cross-border firing occurred at multiple locations.

Last week, the Taliban accused Pakistan of violating Afghanistan's sovereignty, following explosions heard in Kabul. The Taliban's Defence Ministry claimed a market in Paktika province was bombed by Pakistan.

This latest escalation coincides with a diplomatic thaw between Kabul and New Delhi, with discussions of reopening the Indian embassy in Afghanistan.

Pakistan's Interior Minister Naqvi emphasized that Afghanistan would face severe consequences if it continued its aggression, and both Saudi Arabia and Qatar have urged restraint and dialogue between the conflicting nations amidst rising tensions.