Afghanistan Retaliates Against Pakistan, Destroys Multiple Border Posts; 12 Pakistani Soldiers Reported Killed

Islamabad, October 12  — Tensions flared along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border late on Saturday after Afghan forces launched a major retaliatory offensive on Pakistani military posts, reportedly killing 12 Pakistani soldiers. Both nations have claimed to have destroyed each other’s border positions, escalating fears of a wider conflict in the region.

According to reports, Afghan troops attacked Pakistani checkpoints near the Durand Line, targeting areas in Nangarhar and Kunar provinces. The Taliban government in Kabul described the assault as a response to Pakistan’s earlier cross-border strikes, which it said violated Afghan sovereignty.

Heavy Exchange of Fire Across Border

Afghan media outlet TOLO News, quoting the Taliban Defence Ministry, reported that Afghan forces had captured three Pakistani border posts and destroyed several others in the Kunar and Helmand provinces. Meanwhile, Pakistani security officials countered the claim, stating that Pakistan had destroyed multiple Afghan positions in retaliatory strikes.

Initial reports from Helmand’s Bahram Chaah district suggested that 12 Pakistani soldiers were killed during the exchange of fire, though no official confirmation has been released by Islamabad.

Taliban Issues Warning

Following the confrontation, the Taliban administration released a late-night statement saying, “Our operations ended at midnight, but if the other side again violates Afghanistan’s territorial boundary, our armed forces will deliver a strong response.”

Saudi Arabia and Qatar Call for Restraint

The escalating border conflict has drawn concern from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, both of which urged Islamabad and Kabul to exercise restraint and resolve differences through diplomatic channels. The two Gulf nations emphasized maintaining regional peace and stability amid growing cross-border tensions.

Background: Pakistan’s Airstrikes in Kabul

The confrontation comes days after Pakistan launched airstrikes on October 9 in Kabul, Khost, Jalalabad, and Paktika, allegedly targeting Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts. The strikes were reportedly aimed at eliminating TTP chief Noor Wali Mehsud.

The Taliban’s Defence Ministry condemned Pakistan’s air operations, calling them an act of aggression and a declaration of war.

The timing of these developments is particularly sensitive, as Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is currently on an eight-day visit to India, while relations between Islamabad and Kabul continue to deteriorate sharply.