ISLAMABAD, Oct 12, 2025 — Pakistan’s military confirmed that 23 soldiers were martyred and 29 others injured in intense overnight clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, following what it called an “unprovoked assault” from across the frontier.
According to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the fighting erupted late on the night of October 11 when militants linked to the Afghan Taliban and India-backed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) attempted cross-border raids into Pakistani territory. The military described the attack as a coordinated effort aimed at destabilising border regions and aiding terrorist networks.
The ISPR reported that Pakistani forces retaliated “with full force,” killing more than 200 Taliban and affiliated militants, destroying several of their camps, and temporarily capturing 21 positions inside Afghan territory. The operation involved precision strikes against militant training sites and command posts, with officials stressing that “extreme caution” was exercised to prevent civilian casualties.
“Pakistan’s armed forces remain resolute in defending every inch of the motherland,” the statement said, adding that the country’s response was “measured, decisive, and entirely in self-defence.”
Pakistan Blames Kabul for Harboring Militants
Islamabad accused the Taliban government of once again allowing anti-Pakistan groups to operate freely from Afghan soil. “The recent aggression only reinforces Pakistan’s long-standing concern that the interim Afghan administration is turning a blind eye to terrorists who target Pakistan,” the military statement noted.
The ISPR linked the attack to a broader “collusion” between India and Afghan-based militants, describing New Delhi as “the primary sponsor of terrorism in the region.”
State broadcaster Radio Pakistan and PTV News reported that Pakistani forces struck several key Taliban bases, including Durrani Camp, Manojba Headquarters, and the Asmatullah Karar Camp at Spin Boldak — said to be a major hub for cross-border militant operations. Multiple armored vehicles, including Humvees and tanks, were reportedly destroyed during the engagements.
Border crossings at Torkham, Chaman, Angoor Adda, Kharlachi, and Ghulam Khan were temporarily sealed as hostilities intensified.
Afghanistan Claims Retaliation; Urges Dialogue
In Kabul, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid acknowledged the clashes but alleged they were carried out in response to recent Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghan territory. “Afghanistan does not seek confrontation but will defend its sovereignty if attacked,” Mujahid said, warning that continued strikes “will have consequences.”
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence said its operations had “ended by midnight” after mediation efforts by Qatar and Saudi Arabia prompted a pause in hostilities.
Pakistan’s Leadership Vows Strong Defence
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif both reaffirmed that Pakistan “will make no compromise on national sovereignty.”
President Zardari called the attacks “proof of India-backed terrorism operating from Afghan soil,” citing United Nations reports on cross-border militancy. He urged Kabul to take “verifiable action” against the TTP and its affiliates, adding that Pakistan’s patience “has its limits.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz praised the military’s “swift and effective” response under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, stating that the armed forces “forced the aggressors to retreat.”
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi echoed that stance, saying, “Every provocation will be met with an equal or stronger reply.”
Global Calls for Restraint
Following the escalation, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Iran issued statements urging both countries to avoid further violence and pursue dialogue. Riyadh emphasized that regional peace and stability “must not be jeopardized by border confrontations.”
Tense Regional Backdrop
The clashes come amid rising tensions between Islamabad and Kabul over the presence of militants in Afghanistan who allegedly stage attacks inside Pakistan.
In recent months, Pakistan has carried out several intelligence-based operations against the TTP, while Afghan officials accuse Islamabad of violating their airspace through drone and artillery strikes.
The violence also coincided with the Afghan foreign minister’s visit to India, marking the first high-level contact between New Delhi and Kabul since 2021 — a development Islamabad views with suspicion.
Outlook
As both sides trade accusations and casualties mount, analysts warn that renewed hostilities could further destabilise an already volatile border region. For now, Pakistan has signaled that it remains open to dialogue but insists that any talks must be “grounded in mutual respect and a verifiable commitment to ending cross-border terrorism.”
