Afghanistan claims 58 Pakistani soldiers killed amid border fighting

Pakistan closed its border crossings with Afghanistan on Sunday following overnight clashes, during which Afghanistan claimed it killed 58 Pakistani soldiers.

According to Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence, Afghan troops fired on Pakistani border posts late Saturday in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes earlier in the week. Pakistan confirmed it responded with gun and artillery fire but has not disclosed casualty figures. Afghanistan reported 20 of its troops were killed or injured.

Both countries claimed to have destroyed each other’s border posts. Pakistani security officials released video footage purportedly showing Afghan posts being hit, though Reuters could not independently verify the claims.

The exchange largely subsided by Sunday morning, although intermittent gunfire continued in Pakistan’s Kurram region. Afghanistan said its operations concluded at midnight.

Kabul stated it halted attacks at the request of Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which had expressed concern over the clashes. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said, “The Islamic Emirate and the people of Afghanistan will defend their land and remain resolute in this defence,” while noting that fighting continued in some areas.

Pakistan accuses the Taliban administration of harboring militants who attack Pakistan, a charge Kabul denies.

All major border crossings, including Torkham and Chaman, were closed Sunday, along with smaller crossings at Kharlachi, Angoor Adda, and Ghulam Khan. Kabul has not commented on the closures. Afghanistan shares a 2,600-km (1,600-mile) border with Pakistan.

The Pakistani airstrikes reportedly targeted the leader of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Kabul on Thursday. The TTP seeks to overthrow Pakistan’s government and impose a strict Islamic system. Mujahid denied that TTP fighters operate from Afghan soil.