Afghan forces announced they killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in overnight border fighting on Sunday.
Officials said the attacks responded to repeated violations of Afghanistan’s territory and airspace by Pakistani forces.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed that Afghan troops captured 25 Pakistani outposts and wounded 30 soldiers.
Mujahid told reporters in Kabul that Afghan forces now control all official and unofficial borders.
He added that their operations had stopped most illegal activities in these regions.
Earlier this week, Afghan officials accused Pakistan of bombing Kabul and a nearby market, though Islamabad denied involvement.
The Taliban Defence Ministry said Afghan troops launched “retaliatory and successful operations” along the frontier.
Officials warned that any further violation of Afghan territory would meet a “strong and immediate” military response.
Islamabad Blames Kabul for Militancy
Pakistan has long accused Afghanistan of sheltering members of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Islamabad claims the group carries out attacks inside Pakistan, while Kabul denies harbouring militants.
Pakistani officials argue that the rising insurgency in border regions stems from Afghanistan’s inability to control TTP activity.
Kabul insists it does not allow its land to be used for aggression against other nations.
Tensions remain high as Pakistan also accuses India of secretly backing militant networks, though without offering evidence.
The renewed border clashes risk igniting broader instability after India and Pakistan nearly went to war earlier this year.
Conflicting Accounts and Rising Instability
Before Afghanistan announced its casualties, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the assaults.
Sharif said Pakistan’s army “gave a fitting response” and destroyed multiple Afghan positions, forcing them to retreat.
Pakistani military officials released videos they claimed showed destroyed Afghan posts, though independent media could not verify them.
The Pakistani army said its troops had “neutralised over 200 Taliban and affiliated militants” during recent operations.
Security forces reported that Afghan troops opened fire in several border districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Both nations now brace for renewed escalation, as cross-border strikes and accusations deepen their long-standing hostility.
