Kabul: Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan reached a dangerous peak on Sunday after Kabul claimed to have killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in retaliatory strikes along the frontier, prompting Pakistan to seal multiple border crossings and deploy reinforcements to volatile sectors. The deadly exchange of fire marks one of the most severe confrontations between the two neighbours in recent years, exposing the deepening mistrust and unresolved border disputes that continue to haunt their relations.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence announced that its forces had conducted “decisive retaliatory operations” against Pakistani border posts late Saturday night. The attack, it said, was in response to alleged Pakistani airstrikes earlier in the week that violated Afghan airspace and targeted civilian areas. Kabul claimed that in the ensuing confrontation, 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed, while around 20 Afghan personnel were either killed or wounded.
In a strongly worded statement, the ministry said, “The Islamic Emirate will not tolerate any violation of Afghan sovereignty. Our defence forces acted lawfully and proportionately.” Afghan spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid reaffirmed that the Taliban government would “defend its territory and dignity under all circumstances.”
Islamabad, however, dismissed Kabul’s version of events, acknowledging heavy exchanges of fire but denying the reported Afghan death toll. Pakistani officials released drone footage purportedly showing Afghan border outposts destroyed during retaliatory fire. According to Pakistani security sources, several Afghan positions were neutralised during the clashes.
Following the escalation, Pakistan closed five major border crossings including Torkham, Chaman, Kharlachi, Angoor Adda, and Ghulam Khan cutting off critical trade and transit routes. Officials described the move as a “temporary security measure” aimed at preventing further violence. Sporadic gunfire was still being reported on Sunday morning, particularly in Pakistan’s Kurram district, but both sides confirmed that the intensity of firing had largely subsided by dawn.
As the situation spiralled, Qatar and Saudi Arabia reportedly intervened, urging both nations to de-escalate and restore calm along the border. Afghan authorities later announced that offensive operations had been halted at midnight local time in response to “appeals from friendly nations.”
Despite the pause, Kabul has maintained that its territorial sovereignty remains non-negotiable. “The people and government of Afghanistan are united in the defence of their homeland,” Mujahid declared, warning that any further provocation would invite a stronger response.
The latest flare-up is rooted in long-standing grievances and mutual accusations. Pakistan has repeatedly charged the Taliban regime with harbouring Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants who stage cross-border attacks from Afghan soil. Kabul, in turn, accuses Islamabad of air and drone strikes inside Afghanistan and of attempting to dictate security policy beyond its borders.
The historical Durand Line dispute a colonial-era boundary never formally recognised by Kabul continues to inflame nationalist sentiments on both sides. Clashes along the border have become increasingly frequent since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, as both nations fortify checkpoints and contest control over strategic passes.
The closure of border crossings threatens to deepen humanitarian woes in the region. Thousands of Afghans depend on cross-border trade for food, medicine, and employment. Truck convoys have been stranded on both sides, while reports from local traders indicate mounting losses due to perishable goods going to waste.
Political observers warn that the latest confrontation could derail any prospects of cooperation between Kabul and Islamabad, further isolating Afghanistan amid its ongoing economic crisis. Analysts note that Pakistan, grappling with internal instability and cross-border terrorism, may find prolonged conflict untenable but also politically difficult to de-escalate without appearing weak.
By Sunday evening, both governments claimed to have regained control of their respective border regions, though the risk of renewed fighting remains high. The Afghan Ministry of Defence said it had captured “25 Pakistani posts” during the clashes and seized significant quantities of weapons claims that Pakistan has not verified.
Regional and global actors, including the United Nations, are calling for restraint and dialogue. However, as diplomatic channels strain under the weight of mutual hostility, the Afghanistan–Pakistan frontier stands once again as a flashpoint of mistrust, nationalism, and violence a reminder that the legacy of war in South Asia is far from over.
The Afghan government claims 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed in retaliatory strikes following alleged airspace violations, while Pakistan has closed its borders and disputes the casualty figures. The confrontation underscores the growing instability along the Durand Line and the broader geopolitical fragility of the region.