In recent days, heavy clashes have been seen in the border areas between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which began in the night between October 11 and 12 when the Afghan Taliban and the India-sponsored Fitna al-Khawarij carried out unprovoked attacks on the Pak-Afghan border.
According to the Pakistan Army’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistani forces effectively responded to those attacks, resulting in the killing of more than 200 Afghan Taliban and foreigners.
In the exchange of fire, 23 soldiers of the Pakistan Army were martyred and 29 were also wounded. The aim of these operations was to create instability in the border areas, inflict damage and pave the way for terrorism, which was an attempt to bolster the satanic designs of Fitna al-Khawarij.
Exercising the right of defense, the Pakistani armed forces decisively repelled those attacks across the border and inflicted heavy casualties on Taliban forces.
These operations — precision-based firing, attacks and physical raids — were carried out against Taliban camps, posts, terrorist training facilities and support networks inside Afghan territory, which were specifically affiliated with Fitna al-Khawarij (FAK), Fitna al-Hindustaan and ISKP/ISIS. All possible measures were taken to protect civilian lives and avoid unnecessary harm, resulting in the destruction of multiple Taliban locations along the border belt, the obliteration of terrorist training camps used for planning against Pakistan, and the temporary seizure of 21 Afghan positions.
The clashes continued for roughly seven hours, spanning from Arandu in Chitral to Angoor Adda in South Waziristan. They began around 9pm in Kurram when Afghan Taliban targeted Pakistani objectives in the Gavi border belt, apparently in response to a drone strike by Pakistan on a militant hideout in which 27 terrorists were killed inside Pakistani territory.
The situation soon spread across the entire border, where Afghan forces targeted several Pakistani posts from Kunar, Nangarhar and Nuristan provinces. Mortar shells fired by the Afghan Taliban fell in a village, killing one civilian and injuring a child in Tirah Valley.
Intense clashes began on both sides before midnight; Pakistani forces used artillery and air strikes to eliminate enemy posts across the border, forcing Taliban fighters to retreat. In addition to heavy artillery, Pakistan Air Force jets targeted Afghan force positions in the Afghan provinces of Helmand, Kandahar, Khost, Paktia and Paktika, destroying the Second Kandak headquarters and the strongholds of Aziz, Rwat and Nakka. By midnight, 11 Afghan posts had been neutralized and 27 targets destroyed, with sounds of explosions heard on Afghan soil.
As the roar of Pakistan Air Force jets was heard in Afghan airspace, Taliban forces requested a ceasefire, but Pakistan rejected it and operations continued until Sunday morning. From 2am to 4am, artillery struck enemy positions at Barbacha, Ali Dost, Malgai Koh, Turkman Zai Top and Kharachar Fort, forcing Afghan forces to withdraw from several forward posts.
In Lower Dir, attacks by Afghan forces on the Shahi-bin-Shahi border were repelled and the Taliban were forced to retreat. Several villages along the border in Lower South Waziristan came under Afghan fire; in response, one Afghan post was captured and the Pakistani flag was raised there. During these clashes, multiple infiltration attempts from Sari Kond into Angoor Adda area of South Waziristan were foiled just after midnight.
After hours of bombardment, conditions returned to normal around 4am, but the situation remained tense and Pakistan Air Force aircraft and artillery units remained on high alert. As a result, the Angoor Adda border was immediately closed — which had been opened only 10 days earlier after a two-year closure — leaving dozens of trucks stranded and halting bilateral trade. The Khyber Torkham border crossing was also closed, where residents of Bacha Mena moved some families to Lundi Kot after the midnight border closure. The Ghulam Khan border in North Waziristan was closed. Emergency was imposed in all hospitals in Kurram and the Kharlachi border was closed, where tribal fighters were moved to assist security forces in artillery clashes near Kharlachi and Manujaba forts.
The Foreign Office, reacting strongly to statements by the Taliban government, said Pakistan does not need any external advice on its internal affairs. A spokesperson posted on the social networking site X that the Afghan spokesperson should prioritize matters related to Afghanistan and refrain from commenting on matters beyond his jurisdiction.
Adherence to the principle of non-interference in the affairs of other countries is necessary according to international diplomatic traditions. The Foreign Office expects the Taliban government to honor commitments made to the international community during the Doha process and not allow its territory to be used for terrorism against other countries. Instead of baseless propaganda, attention should be given to the establishment of a comprehensive and genuinely representative government.
Afterwards, at Kurram again, unprovoked firing was carried out by the Afghan Taliban, to which the Pakistan Army responded in a timely manner and inflicted severe damage on Taliban posts. According to Pakistan Television (PTV), security sources said that Afghan Taliban and Fitna al-Khawarij were given a strong response, which set their posts ablaze.
Another post and a tank position were destroyed; the Taliban abandoned several bodies and posts and fled. A tank that was being operated with extreme skill was targeted and destroyed, footage of which is available. Within one hour the fourth tank position, Shamshad post, was destroyed. Operatives of Fitna al-Khawarij and the Taliban fled their posts in extreme panic, and reports indicate the death of an important commander of Fitna al-Khawarij.
In an interview with Geo News, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said there are no relations between Islamabad and Kabul — a state of stagnation that is not active hostility but is certainly tense. To date there are neither direct nor indirect contacts.
Fighting could resume at any time from both sides; this possibility cannot be denied, but for now there is some pause. If Afghanistan wants talks but at the same time issues threats, then let them carry out their threats — we will negotiate later.
Yesterday, on October 15, 2025, in the early morning, in the border district of Chaman in Balochistan, in the area of Spin Boldak, Afghan Taliban carried out cowardly attacks at four different locations, which Pakistani security forces foiled and 15 to 20 Afghan Taliban were killed while several were injured. These attacks were carried out through routes of divided villages, without any regard for the safety of civilian populations.
Regrettably, the Afghan Taliban also destroyed the Pak-Afghan Friendship Gate located on their side, which reflects their thinking about mutual trade and the traditional rights of border tribes. The situation remains ongoing and reports are being received of further gatherings of Fitna al-Khawarij and Afghan Taliban groups.
ISPR said that the baseless allegations that Pakistan started the attack are sheer lies and misleading propaganda, like false claims of the capture of Pakistani posts or equipment.
The misleading publicity of the Taliban government can be exposed by checking basic facts. Pakistan’s armed forces are fully prepared and determined to defend the country’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and any aggressive action will be met with a strong response. According to security sources, reports are coming in of more Afghan Taliban and Fitna al-Khawarij assembling in Spin Boldak, but Pakistan’s forces are vigilant and alert.
According to the latest updates, China has expressed deep concern over the border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan. In addition, the head of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) has offered to mediate in the tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, while the return of Afghan refugees from Sawabi has been halted due to the border tension.
Pakistan should, while defending its sovereignty, take such measures that reduce tensions and promote regional stability.
Border surveillance by the Pakistan Army should be increased, air and artillery readiness should be kept on high alert, and precise strikes on terrorist hideouts should continue to prevent infiltration. The seizure of the 21 positions and the destruction of several tanks mentioned above are the success of this defensive strategy.
Like the Foreign Office, keep issuing strong statements and seek mediation through third parties such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia or China, as recent reports indicate Pakistan has done. According to Defense Minister Khawaja Asif’s statement, if Afghanistan wants negotiations, it should desist from threats, otherwise Pakistan will exercise the right of defense. The international community should be made aware of the export of terrorism from Afghan soil so that pressure can be applied on the Taliban.
Limited level talks should be initiated to restore trade affected by the border closures, but security should be given priority. Humanitarian measures should be taken to address the issues of return of Afghan refugees, which can help reduce tensions.
Measures like imposing emergency in hospitals and moving tribal fighters in areas such as Kurram and Chaman should be further strengthened to ensure the protection of civilians and counter propaganda. These measures will help keep Pakistan defensively strong while helping to reduce tensions at the diplomatic level.
The Afghan Taliban should refrain from mischief and unprovoked attacks, which are causing instability not only to the two countries but to the whole region. Their actions, such as firing on Pakistani posts and destroying the Friendship Gate, reflect their irresponsible thinking.
The Taliban should abide by the Doha agreement, not allow their territory to be used for terrorism, and establish a comprehensive government. Stop interfering in Pakistan’s internal affairs and ensure respect for the border so that trade and human ties can be restored. If they do not, it will further expose the weakness of their government and lead to global isolation.
The relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan span centuries, although the relations between the two nations have seen ups and downs, the public believes that both countries are inhabited by people who adhere to one religion and one tradition.
If skirmishes continue between Pakistan and Afghanistan, then those countries which do not want peace and brotherhood among Muslims will succeed.
It is true that Afghanistan has opposed Pakistan on several issues, even in 1948 Afghanistan opposed Pakistan in the United Nations, and occasionally tribes or individuals engaged in anti-Pakistan activities take refuge in Afghanistan.
Examples like Al-Zulfiqar and Mari and other tribes are before us, and these days there are also reports of activities from Afghanistan regarding the BLA. It is noteworthy here that if the Taliban do not have the capacity and power to control the Khawarij or other terrorists, they can seek help from neighboring countries such as Pakistan, China, Russia or others. Pakistan will feel happy to help in such matters.
The need is to prevent the growth of negative sentiment between the two countries so that hatred does not rain in the hearts of the people, and if Afghan leaders support unrest against Pakistan with assistance from the Khawarij or India, the public’s hearts should not become bitter.
Translated by MM News Editorial Team
