Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [Pakistan]: Intense cross-border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan have resulted in at least eight fatalities and left 13 individuals, including civilians, injured on the Afghan side, according to security officials cited by Dawn. The violence continued late into Saturday night.
The clashes erupted following escalating tensions after Pakistani fighter jets targeted alleged camps of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Afghanistan’s eastern Paktika province earlier in the week.
Failed Infiltration Sparks Violence
According to security sources, the renewed fighting began after militants on the Afghan side attempted to infiltrate Pakistan’s border late Friday night. The attempt was thwarted by Pakistani forces. On Saturday morning, militants, joined by Afghan forces, launched coordinated attacks on Pakistani posts using light and heavy weaponry.
The areas targeted included Ghozgarhi, Matha Sangar, Kot Ragha, and Tari Mengal. In the ensuing exchange, one Frontier Corps soldier was martyred, and 11 others sustained injuries. Pakistani forces responded with retaliatory fire, reportedly inflicting significant losses on the Afghan side and forcing attackers to retreat from their positions.
Regional Tensions and Diplomatic Efforts
Pakistan has repeatedly raised concerns over the use of Afghan soil by militants for cross-border attacks, particularly in volatile regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently described such attacks as a “red line” for Pakistan and urged the Afghan government to take decisive action against the TTP.
While Pakistan has shown a willingness to engage in diplomatic dialogue with Kabul, ongoing violence has cast a shadow over these efforts. On the same day as Pakistani airstrikes in Paktika province, a delegation led by Special Representative Muhammad Sadiq met with Afghan leaders in Kabul to resume diplomatic talks after a year-long hiatus.
The Afghan government lodged a strong protest over the airstrikes, claiming that at least 46 civilians, including women and children, were killed. These strikes were reportedly in retaliation for an attack in South Waziristan last week, which led to the martyrdom of 16 Pakistani soldiers.
Escalating Conflict Risks Regional Instability
The continued clashes and mounting casualties underscore the fragile security situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Both nations have urged restraint while accusing each other of harboring militant groups. As tensions rise, the prospects for lasting peace in the region remain uncertain.