Dozens killed in clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, border closed

(Patria) - Dozens of fighters were killed in overnight clashes on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, both sides said on Sunday, in the most serious fighting between the neighbors since the Taliban came to power in Kabul, Reuters reported.

The Pakistani army said 23 of their soldiers were killed in the clashes. The Taliban said nine of their fighters were killed.

Tensions have risen after Islamabad demanded that the Taliban take action against militants who have intensified attacks in Pakistan, claiming they operate from bases in Afghanistan. The Taliban, who came to power in 2021, deny that Pakistani militants are present on their territory.

Each side claimed to have inflicted far greater casualties on the other, without providing evidence. Pakistan said it killed more than 200 Afghan Taliban and allied fighters, while Afghanistan said it killed 58 Pakistani soldiers.

Pakistani airstrikes caused retaliation

On Thursday, Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Kabul and a market in eastern Afghanistan, according to Pakistani security officials and the Taliban, which triggered a Taliban retaliation. Pakistan has not officially acknowledged the airstrikes.
Afghan troops opened fire on Pakistani border crossings on Saturday night. Pakistan said it responded with small arms fire and artillery.

Both sides claim to have destroyed the other side's border crossings. Pakistani security officials shared video footage they said showed Afghan positions being hit.

The exchange of attacks largely ended on Sunday morning, Pakistani security officials said. But in Pakistan's Kurram region, sporadic gunfire continued, according to local officials and residents.

The Afghan Ministry of Defense had previously announced that their operation ended at midnight local time.

Kabul said on Sunday that it had stopped the attacks at the request of Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The two Gulf Arab countries issued statements expressing concern about the conflict.

"There is no threat from any part of Afghan territory," said Taliban administration spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid on Sunday. "The Islamic Emirate and the people of Afghanistan will defend their country and remain determined and committed to this defense."

Mujahid said fighting was ongoing in some areas.

Border crossings closed

Pakistani officials said on Sunday that Pakistan had closed crossings along the 2,600 km long border with Afghanistan, a disputed colonial-era border known as the Durand Line, which was established by the British in 1893.

Two main border crossings with Afghanistan, at Torkham and Chaman, and at least three smaller crossings, at Kharlachi, Angoor Adda, and Ghulam Khan, were closed on Sunday, local officials said.

Pakistani airstrikes coincided with a rare visit to India by Taliban leader and Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, which resulted in India's announcement on Friday of improving relations. India is a long-standing rival of Pakistan, and the trip caused concern in Islamabad.