The Taliban government has confirmed that it attacked Pakistani troops in multiple mountainous locations on the northern border. A Taliban spokesman said 58 Pakistani military personnel had been killed in what it called 'an act of retaliation'. It claimed Pakistan had violated Afghan airspace and bombed a market inside its border on Thursday.
Pakistan has disputed that figure, saying 23 of its armed forces' members had died and claiming that '200 Taliban and affiliated terrorists have been neutralized'. Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the Afghan attacks were 'unprovoked' and civilians were fired at, warning that his country's forces would respond 'with a stone for every brick'.
Islamabad has accused Kabul of harbouring terrorists who target Pakistan on its soil, a claim the Taliban government rejected. Both the Afghan and Pakistani sides are said to have used small arms and artillery in the Kunar-Kurram region, the BBC understands.
At a press conference, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that in addition to the 58 Pakistani military deaths, around 30 others had been wounded, and he added that nine Taliban fighters had died and between 16 and 18 people had been injured.
Pakistan Armed Forces said 29 of its soldiers had been injured, and the number of wounded Taliban and 'affiliated' fighters was in the hundreds. Afghanistan’s foreign minister asserted that 'we have no problems' with Pakistan's people and its leadership but noted that 'there are some groups in Pakistan that are trying to spoil the situation.'
Pakistan's interior minister condemned the Taliban's attacks, labeling them a violation of international laws, and expressed concern over the humanitarian impact on civilian populations. With the closures of two main crossings, Torkham and Chaman, hundreds of trucks carrying goods are stuck on both sides, significantly disrupting trade.
A spokesperson for Pakistan's military indicated that necessary measures would be taken to safeguard Pakistani lives and properties, as reports of intense gunfire emerged from multiple border locations.
This escalation in conflict follows the Taliban’s accusations against Pakistan for violating Afghan territory and bombing civilian markets. Accusations from both sides indicate a broader geopolitical crisis, with regional powers calling for restraint and dialogue to prevent further escalation.
Pakistan has disputed that figure, saying 23 of its armed forces' members had died and claiming that '200 Taliban and affiliated terrorists have been neutralized'. Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the Afghan attacks were 'unprovoked' and civilians were fired at, warning that his country's forces would respond 'with a stone for every brick'.
Islamabad has accused Kabul of harbouring terrorists who target Pakistan on its soil, a claim the Taliban government rejected. Both the Afghan and Pakistani sides are said to have used small arms and artillery in the Kunar-Kurram region, the BBC understands.
At a press conference, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that in addition to the 58 Pakistani military deaths, around 30 others had been wounded, and he added that nine Taliban fighters had died and between 16 and 18 people had been injured.
Pakistan Armed Forces said 29 of its soldiers had been injured, and the number of wounded Taliban and 'affiliated' fighters was in the hundreds. Afghanistan’s foreign minister asserted that 'we have no problems' with Pakistan's people and its leadership but noted that 'there are some groups in Pakistan that are trying to spoil the situation.'
Pakistan's interior minister condemned the Taliban's attacks, labeling them a violation of international laws, and expressed concern over the humanitarian impact on civilian populations. With the closures of two main crossings, Torkham and Chaman, hundreds of trucks carrying goods are stuck on both sides, significantly disrupting trade.
A spokesperson for Pakistan's military indicated that necessary measures would be taken to safeguard Pakistani lives and properties, as reports of intense gunfire emerged from multiple border locations.
This escalation in conflict follows the Taliban’s accusations against Pakistan for violating Afghan territory and bombing civilian markets. Accusations from both sides indicate a broader geopolitical crisis, with regional powers calling for restraint and dialogue to prevent further escalation.
