Taliban Claims Capture Of 25 Pakistani Posts, 58 Soldiers Killed; Islamabad Promises Retaliation | World News

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalated dramatically on Sunday after violent clashes along the border resulted in disputed casualty claims and loss of territory. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned what he called provocations by Afghanistan and promised a strong response to attacks that Taliban sources claim killed dozens of Pakistani soldiers.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the chief spokesman of the Taliban government, stated that Afghan forces captured 25 outposts of the Pakistani army during the conflict, 58 soldiers were killed and 30 soldiers were injured. Pakistan has not independently confirmed these casualty figures, but Sharif’s statement acknowledged serious border violence.

The Taliban government described the military operation as retaliation for what it described as repeated violations of Afghan territory and airspace by Pakistani forces. This framework suggests that the conflicts represent an escalation of ongoing cross-border tensions rather than an isolated incident.

Prime Minister Sharif made a stern warning in his official statement, stating that there would be no compromises in Pakistan’s defense and that any provocation would be met with a strong and effective response. He accused Taliban officials in Afghanistan of allowing their territory to be used by terrorist elements targeting Pakistan.

Kabul Air Strikes

The latest tensions follow reports of airstrikes in Kabul earlier this week. Although Islamabad has not officially confirmed that it carried out the attacks, it has called on Kabul to stop providing shelter to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) within its borders.

This escalation coincides with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s week-long visit to India, the first high-level visit from Kabul since the Taliban came to power in August 2021.