Pakistan’s security forces repelled coordinated attacks by the Afghan Taliban along the Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa borders, killing dozens of militants. The clashes mark a sharp escalation in border tensions between the two countries.
Fierce Clashes in Spin Boldak
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Afghan Taliban launched simultaneous attacks at four locations in Spin Boldak early Wednesday morning.
Pakistani troops responded swiftly, killing around 15 to 20 militants and injuring several others. The ISPR said the attackers destroyed the Pakistan-Afghanistan Friendship Gate on their side of the border, showing disregard for trade and tribal passage agreements.
Taliban Assault Repelled in Kurram
In a separate overnight assault, militants targeted Pakistani border posts in Kurram. Pakistani forces retaliated with precision strikes, destroying eight Afghan posts and six tanks. Around 25 to 30 fighters linked to the Taliban and banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed.
ISPR Rejects Kabul’s Claims
Kabul accused Pakistan of starting the clashes, but the ISPR dismissed the charge as “blatant lies and propaganda.”
It reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to defend its sovereignty, warning that any future aggression will meet full force.
Afghan Civilian Casualties Claimed
Afghan spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid claimed that Pakistani firing in Spin Boldak killed 12 civilians and injured over 100 others.
Islamabad has not confirmed these casualties and insists the attacks originated from Afghan territory.
Leaders Condemn Cross-Border Aggression
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attacks.
Zardari called them a “violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty” and accused the Taliban regime of harbouring militants.
Sharif praised the armed forces’ “professional response” and vowed that national integrity would be defended at all costs.
Rising Border Tensions
This was the third major border clash in a week, following earlier incidents in Kurram and Kandahar.
Islamabad continues to urge Kabul to stop terrorist groups from using Afghan soil to attack Pakistan, a long-standing issue pushing bilateral ties to a breaking point.
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