Taliban Claims Killing 58 Pakistani Soldiers and Capturing 25 Posts in Afghanistan Attack

Afghanistan attacked Pakistan, killing 58 soldiers and capturing 25 outposts, with the Taliban accusing ISIS of providing sanctuary.

Afghanistan Pakistan Conflict: Border tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have reached a peak. On Saturday night, Taliban forces attacked Pakistani outposts, believed to be retaliation for Pakistan's recent airstrikes on Kabul. The Taliban's Defence Minister, Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, claimed in a press conference on Sunday that 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 30 others injured in this operation. Additionally, the Afghan army captured 25 Pakistani outposts. This incident occurred near the Durand Line, where the long-standing animosity between the two countries has flared up again.

Retaliation for Pakistan's Airstrikes

Pakistan had carried out airstrikes in Kabul and Paktika province on Thursday, which the Taliban described as a violation of their sovereignty. Two senior members of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed in these strikes, but Pakistan did not claim responsibility. The Taliban termed it as 'unprecedented aggression' and launched an immediate counter-offensive.

Afghanistan's Borders Completely Secure

Meanwhile, in an official statement released on Sunday, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated that Afghanistan's borders are completely secure and illegal activities have been stopped. Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi described these attacks as 'unprovoked' and a violation of international laws.

Taliban Accuses Pakistan of ISIS Presence

The Taliban made serious allegations against Pakistan, stating that it is harbouring ISIS members on its soil who are carrying out terrorist activities in Afghanistan and around the world. Mujahid claimed in the press conference that Pakistan, through Karachi and Islamabad airports, sent new ISIS members to training centres in Pashtunkhwa.

Attacks Planned from These Centres

Attacks in Tehran, Moscow, and within Afghanistan are planned from these centres. The Taliban demanded that Pakistan either expel the key ISIS members from the country or hand them over to Afghanistan. This accusation further deepens the old dispute over cross-border terrorism, where Pakistan accuses the Taliban of sheltering the TTP.

Pakistani Delegation's Kabul Visit Cancelled

Amidst this tension, the Taliban cancelled the visit of a Pakistani delegation to Kabul. Mujahid warned that any attack on Afghanistan would not go unanswered. Referring to the Afghan refugees in Waziristan as a 'legacy,' he stated that a specific faction of the Pakistani military is engaged in creating divisions among Afghans and spreading false propaganda. The Taliban appealed that the common citizens of Pakistan and the majority of the army do not support the policies of this faction.

Regional Impact and Appeals

Countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar have appealed to both sides to exercise restraint. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that stability between the two neighbours is essential for regional peace. Experts believe that the conflict may not last long due to the Taliban's limited military capacity, but the situation could be complicated by disinformation and border disputes. India has also expressed concern, as this could affect regional security. Washington-based analyst Michael Kugelman called it a 'perfect storm' that could subside soon but requires vigilance.

Future Apprehensions

This conflict has been ongoing since 2024, with 400 Afghan fighters taking control of 15 border posts in the Bajaur district in January 2025. The Taliban claimed to have cleared its land of 'troublemakers.' The question now is whether this retaliation will end or create a new crisis. Afghanistan has appealed for calm but has declared that provocative actions on the border will not be tolerated.