Af-Pak Border Tension Escalates: Fresh Firefight Claims Lives
Heavy cross border clashes between Pakistani forces and Taliban fighters along the Durand Line have resulted in multiple casualties, destruction of military posts, and reports of civilian harm.
Islamabad/Kabul, Oct 16: Heavy fighting between Pakistani forces and Afghanistan’s Taliban militia along the Durand Line has left scores dead and hundreds injured, according to multiple reports on Wednesday.
The clashes involved cross-border exchanges using artillery and tanks, and Pakistan reportedly carried out an airstrike in Kandahar province, targeting Taliban positions.
The Taliban claimed that Pakistani forces launched an offensive, killing at least a dozen civilians. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid posted on social media that Afghan forces retaliated, killing multiple Pakistani soldiers, capturing posts, and seizing weapons and tanks. Videos circulated online purportedly showing captured Pakistani soldiers and damaged military installations, including a section of the border fence at Spin Boldak, linking Kandahar in Afghanistan to Baluchistan in Pakistan.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported scores of Afghan civilian casualties due to recent cross-border clashes. UNAMA urged all parties to immediately end hostilities to protect civilians and prevent further loss of life.
Islamabad briefed foreign envoys citing “legitimate security concerns” and the need to protect territorial integrity. Meanwhile, Afghan authorities and Taliban officials accused Pakistan of excessive force resulting in civilian harm. Qatar and Saudi Arabia have called for de-escalation and dialogue, while Beijing urged protection of Chinese personnel involved in Afghan projects.
Tensions escalated following Pakistan’s aerial bombings targeting a Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leader, coinciding with the visit of Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to India. After diplomatic and trade talks with India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, a joint statement reaffirmed Jammu and Kashmir as part of India, further straining Pakistan-Afghan relations.
In response to the firefight, Kabul cancelled a planned Pakistani delegation visit. The Taliban reportedly attacked Pakistani outposts on October 11 in retaliation for Islamabad’s previous surge in bombings across Afghan cities, including Kabul. Humanitarian agencies have warned that the clashes threaten civilian livelihoods and cross-border commerce, with several border crossings reportedly closed.
Pakistan has alleged that the Afghan Taliban administration is sheltering TTP fighters, who have increased attacks within Pakistan. In retaliation, thousands of Afghan refugees have been evicted from Pakistan.
Historically, militias like the Mujaheddin, trained and armed by Pakistan’s ISI with alleged CIA support during the Soviet-Afghan war, are considered precursors to groups such as the Taliban and TTP.
