Military clashes broke out on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, leaving dozens dead.

Dozens of militants were killed in overnight clashes on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, both sides reported on October 12. This is the most serious fighting between the neighboring countries since the Taliban took power in Kabul, according to Reuters.

The Pakistani military claimed 23 of its soldiers were killed in the clashes. The Taliban reported nine deaths on their side.

Tensions escalated after Islamabad demanded the Taliban take action against militants who have intensified attacks in Pakistan. Pakistani authorities claim that Afghan militants are operating from territory within Afghanistan. The Taliban, who came to power in 2021, deny the presence of Pakistani militants on their territory.

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Each side claimed to have inflicted significantly higher casualties on the other, but provided no evidence. Pakistan claimed to have killed over 200 Afghan Taliban fighters and their allies, while Afghanistan claimed to have killed 58 Pakistani soldiers. Reuters was unable to independently confirm these figures.

Pakistani airstrikes trigger retaliatory attacks

On October 9, according to Pakistani security forces and the Taliban, Pakistan launched airstrikes on Kabul and a market square in eastern Afghanistan. This prompted retaliatory attacks by the Taliban. Pakistan officially denied these strikes.

Afghan forces opened fire on Pakistani border posts late on October 11. Pakistan said it responded with small arms and artillery fire.

Both sides claimed to have destroyed their opponents' border posts. Pakistani security forces released a video they claimed showed attacks on Afghan posts.

According to Pakistani military sources, the fighting had largely ceased by the morning of October 12. However, sporadic gunfire continued in Pakistan's Kurram region, according to local authorities and residents.

Earlier, the Afghan Ministry of Defense stated that their operation had concluded by midnight local time. Kabul announced on October 12 that it had ceased attacks at the request of Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Both Gulf countries had previously expressed concern about the clashes.

"There is no threat on Afghan soil," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid emphasized on October 12. "The Islamic Emirate and the people of Afghanistan will defend their land. They will remain steadfast and determined."

According to Mujahid, fighting continues in some areas.

Border crossings are closed

Pakistani authorities said on October 12 that they had closed crossings along the 2600-kilometer border with Afghanistan, a disputed line known as the Durand Line, which was drawn by the British in 1893.

(The Durand Line is the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, drawn in 1893 by the British authorities. It is named after Sir Mortimer Durand, a British diplomat who was then Foreign Secretary of the British Indian government.

This line was established to demarcate spheres of influence between Afghanistan and British India, but has remained disputed since its inception. After Pakistan gained independence in 1947, this line became the de facto border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Afghanistan still doesn't officially recognize the Durand Line as an international border, claiming it was imposed by the colonial regime and divided the Pashtun and Baloch tribes on either side. Pakistan, however, considers it a legitimate international border. Note.)

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Two major border crossings (Torkham and Chaman) and at least three minor ones (Kharlachi, Angur Adda and Ghulam Khan) were closed on October 12, local officials said.

Pakistan's airstrikes coincided with a visit to India by Taliban representative Amir Khan Muttaqi, Afghan Foreign Minister. Following this, on October 10, India announced its intention to upgrade relations with Afghanistan. India is a long-standing adversary of Pakistan, and this trip caused alarm in Islamabad.

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