Afghanistan Says 58 Pakistani Soldiers Killed in Border Clashes; Crossings Shut Down

Pakistan shut down several major border crossings with Afghanistan on Sunday, according to Pakistani officials, after overnight clashes between the two countries’ forces. Kabul claimed it had killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in the exchange.

According to Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence, Afghan forces opened fire on Pakistani border posts late Saturday in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes conducted earlier in the week. In response, Pakistan said it returned fire with gunfire and artillery.

The Afghan government reported that it had killed 58 Pakistani soldiers, though it provided no details on how the figure was verified. It also reported that 20 Afghan soldiers were either killed or injured during the clashes.

Pakistan has yet to issue an official statement confirming the casualties. However, Pakistani security officials said they inflicted losses on Afghan forces without providing specific numbers.

Both nations claimed to have destroyed each other's border posts. Pakistani officials shared video footage, which they claimed showed Afghan positions being targeted.

While the intensity of the clashes had largely subsided by Sunday morning, intermittent gunfire continued in Pakistan’s Kurram district, according to local officials and residents.

Afghanistan's Ministry of Defence said its operations had concluded by midnight local time. Kabul later stated that it halted attacks at the request of Qatar and Saudi Arabia, both of which expressed concern over the situation.

“There is no kind of threat in any part of Afghanistan’s territory,” said Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid on Sunday. “The Islamic Emirate and the people of Afghanistan will defend their land and remain resolute and committed in this defence.” He added that fighting continued in some areas.

Islamabad accuses the Taliban government of sheltering militants, including members of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), who launch attacks on Pakistani soil. Kabul denies these accusations.

Border Closures

Pakistan’s two primary border crossings with Afghanistan — Torkham and Chaman — were closed on Sunday, according to local officials. Additionally, at least three minor crossings — Kharlachi, Angoor Adda, and Ghulam Khan — were also shut down.

There was no immediate response from the Afghan side regarding the border closures. Afghanistan, a landlocked country, shares a 2,600-km (1,600-mile) border with Pakistan.

The Pakistani airstrikes — not officially confirmed by Islamabad — reportedly targeted the TTP's leader in Kabul on Thursday, according to a Pakistani security source. It remains unclear whether the leader survived.

The TTP has been engaged in an insurgency aimed at toppling the Pakistani government and establishing a strict Islamic regime. On Sunday, Taliban spokesperson Mujahid denied that TTP fighters operate from Afghan soil.