Over 200 Afghan troops killed, 23 soldiers martyred in retaliatory strikes against Afghanistan: ISPR

Pakistan Army said its security forces killed more than 200 Afghan Taliban fighters in overnight clashes along the Pak-Afghan border, while confirming that 23 of its soldiers were martyred during the crossfire, according to the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations.

According to an ISPR statement issued on Sunday, the confrontation took place on the night of October 11–12, when Afghan Taliban forces, supported by “Indian-sponsored elements of Fitna al Khwarij,” launched an unprovoked attack on Pakistan along the border.

“The cowardly action, which included fire and a few physical raids, was aimed at destabilizing the border areas to facilitate terrorism, furthering FAK's nefarious designs,” the statement said. Fitna al Khwarij is a term coined by the state for terrorists affiliated with the proscribed outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

ISPR said that, exercising the right of self-defence, the alert Armed Forces of Pakistan repelled the assault decisively along the entire border and inflicted heavy casualties on Taliban forces and affiliated Khwarijs.

“Precision fires and strikes, as well as physical raids, were directed against Taliban camps and posts, terrorist training facilities, and support networks operating from Afghan territory, including elements linked to Fitna al Khwarij (FAK), Fitna al Hindustan (FAH), and ISKP/Daesh. All possible measures were taken to avoid collateral damage and to protect civilian lives,” the statement added.

According to ISPR, multiple Taliban locations were destroyed along the border. Twenty-one (21) hostile positions on the Afghan side were briefly captured, and multiple terrorist training camps used to plan and facilitate attacks against Pakistan were rendered inoperative.

Infra-structural damages to Taliban posts, camps, headquarters

The statement noted that during the overnight skirmishes, 23 Pakistan Army soldiers embraced martyrdom while 29 others were injured. According to credible intelligence estimates and damage assessments, more than 200 Taliban and affiliated terrorists were neutralized, with the number of injured much higher.

“The infra-structural damages to Taliban posts, camps, headquarters, and support networks of terrorists are extensive, ranging from tactical to operational depth along the border,” it added.

ISPR further said the Armed Forces of Pakistan remain ever-ready to protect the territorial integrity, life, and property of the people of Pakistan. “Our resolve to defend Pakistan's territorial integrity and to defeat those who threaten our security is unwavering.”

'Taliban government must take action to neutralize terrorist groups'

The statement also said that while the people of Pakistan prefer constructive diplomacy and dialogue over violence and belligerence, the use of Afghan soil for terrorism against Pakistan cannot be tolerated.

Pakistan Army noted with concern that this provocation occurred during the visit of the Taliban Foreign Minister to India, described as the biggest sponsor of terrorism in the region.

ISPR stated that, in the interest of regional peace and security, Pakistan urges the Taliban government to take swift and verifiable measures to dismantle terrorist groups — including FAK, FAH, and ISKP/Daesh — operating from Afghan soil.

"Otherwise, Pakistan will continue to exercise its right to defend its people by persistent neutralization of terror targets. The Taliban Government should shun any ill-begotten notions and prioritise the well-being, peace, prosperity, and development of the Afghan people over irresponsible sabre-rattling,” ISPR warned.

The statement further said that last night’s episode vindicates Pakistan's long-standing position that the Taliban Government is actively facilitating terrorists. “If the Taliban Government continues to sponsor terrorist outfits, in cohorts with India, for shortsighted objectives of destabilizing the region, the people and the state of Pakistan will not rest until the menace of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan is completely eliminated.”

Afghan government’s exaggerated claims

Afghanistan’s government claimed it had killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in the recent border clashes. However, Kabul reportedly said it had halted attacks following requests from Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Both Gulf nations had earlier issued statements expressing concern over the escalating tensions.

“There is no kind of threat in any part of Afghanistan’s territory,” Taliban administration spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on Sunday. “The Islamic Emirate and the people of Afghanistan will defend their land and remain resolute and committed in this defence.”

PM lauds Army for its befitting response to Afghanistan’s aggression

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the Pakistan Army for its “strong and effective response to Afghanistan’s aggression” and “strongly condemned Afghanistan’s provocations along Pakistan’s border areas", according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

“We take pride in the professionalism of our armed forces,” said the prime minister.

Under the “bold leadership” of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, he said, the Pakistan Army had not only responded decisively to Afghanistan’s provocations but had also destroyed multiple Afghan posts, forcing a retreat.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed that there would be no compromise on Pakistan’s defence and that every act of aggression would be met with a decisive response. “Our defence lies in capable hands, and we know well how to safeguard every inch of our homeland,” he said. “The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan’s security forces,” he added.

PM Shehbaz said Pakistan had repeatedly informed Afghanistan of the presence of terrorist elements, including Fitna-e-Khawarij and Fitna-e-Hindustan, operating from Afghan soil against Pakistan. “Terrorist organisations are being supported by certain elements within Afghanistan,” he noted.

He concluded by saying that Pakistan expected the Afghan interim government to ensure its territory was not used by terrorist elements against Pakistan.

Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar took to X to condemn Afghan aggression, "Unprovoked firing and raids along Pak-Afghan border by the Taliban Government is a serious provocation. Pakistan's befitting response and strikes are against Taliban infrastructure and to neutralize Fitna-e-Khawarij and Fitna-e-Hindustan terrorist elements operating from Afghan soil."

Pakistan seals border with Afghanistan

Pakistan closed border crossings with Afghanistan on Sunday, Pakistani officials said, following exchanges of fire between the forces of the two countries.

Afghan troops opened fire on Pakistani border posts late Saturday, with the country's ministry of defence saying this was in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan earlier in the week.

Pakistan said that it had responded with gun and artillery fire. Pakistani security officials said that several Afghan border posts were destroyed in retaliatory attacks.

The exchange of fire was mostly over on Sunday morning, Pakistani security officials said. But in Pakistan's Kurram area, intermittent gunfire continued, according to local officials and residents.

Pakistan's two main border crossings with Afghanistan, at Torkham and Chaman, were closed on Sunday, local officials said. At least three minor crossings, at Kharlachi, Angoor Adda and Ghulam Khan, were also closed, local officials said.

There was no immediate comment from Kabul on the closing of the border. Afghanistan's ministry of defence had previously said that its operation had finished at midnight local time.

"There is no kind of threat in any part of Afghanistan's territory," the Taliban administration's spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said Sunday.

Landlocked Afghanistan has a 2,600-km (1,600-mile) long border with Pakistan. Islamabad accuses the Taliban administration of harbouring militants who attack Pakistan, a charge that Kabul denies.

The Pakistani airstrikes, not officially acknowledged by Islamabad, had targeted the leader of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant group in Kabul on Thursday, according to a Pakistani security official. It is unclear if he survived.

The TTP has been fighting to overthrow the Islamabad government and replace it with a strict Islamic-led system of governance. It has had a close relationship with the Afghan Taliban.

Gulf nations call for calm

Saudi Arabia expresses concern over the border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan. It calls for restraint, dialogue, and wisdom to reduce tensions, affirming its support for regional efforts to achieve security and prosperity for both nations.

Qatar voices concern regarding the escalation and its potential repercussions. It urges both sides to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy to contain differences, reaffirming its support for international peace efforts and the security of the Pakistani and Afghan peoples.