Fifteen Pakistani soldiers killed in heavy border clashes with Afghan forces

At least 15 Pakistani soldiers were reportedly killed in intense clashes with Afghan forces along the border on Saturday, days after the Taliban accused Islamabad of carrying out airstrikes on Afghan territory. Afghanistan’s state-run media RTA reported that Taliban forces captured three Pakistani posts near Helmand province during the clashes.

The Taliban Defense Ministry warned:

“If the opposing side again violates Afghanistan’s territorial integrity, our armed forces are fully prepared to defend the nation’s borders and will deliver a strong response.”

According to Afghan military sources, the clashes along the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan border regions were in retaliation for Pakistan’s alleged air strikes. On Friday, Afghanistan accused Pakistan of violating its sovereignty with strikes on Kabul.

Pakistani officials, while not confirming the airstrikes, said Taliban forces had opened fire at several border points, prompting Pakistan to retaliate with artillery at four locations, according to Dawn and The Guardian. The firing reportedly targeted key posts including Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, Chitral in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Baramcha in Balochistan.

TOLOnews reported that Taliban forces captured several outposts, with one destroyed across the Durand Line in Kunar and Helmand provinces. The clashes reportedly forced civilians to flee homes in Paktia district amid heavy shelling.

Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry spokesperson Enayatullah Khwarizmi described the operations as “successful retaliatory attacks” against Pakistani forces in response to repeated violations and airstrikes.

The escalation has drawn calls for restraint from Iran, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, coinciding with Afghanistan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to India.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi called the Afghan attacks “unprovoked”, stating on X:

“Firing by Afghan forces on civilian population is a blatant violation of international laws. Pakistan’s brave forces have given a prompt and effective response; no provocation will be tolerated.”

Taliban officials from the border provinces—including Kunar, Nangarhar, Paktika, Khost, and Helmand—confirmed the clashes. The situation has further heightened tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.