ISLAMABAD (Realist English). Pakistani security forces have captured 19 Afghan border posts following what Islamabad described as “unprovoked cross-border attacks” by Taliban fighters, state media reported on Sunday.
According to PTV News, the operation began after Taliban forces opened fire on Pakistani positions near several frontier points.
“So far, Pakistan has captured 19 Afghan posts from where attacks were being launched,” the broadcaster said, citing security sources.
The sources added that “Taliban militants present at the posts have been killed and the rest have fled,” while multiple Afghan camps, including Manojba, Jandusar, Turkmenzai, and Kharchar Fort, were destroyed.
Pakistan’s army reportedly used artillery, tanks, drones, and heavy weapons to repel the assault and target Taliban and ISIS hideouts near the border. State-run Radio Pakistan said the military response was “swift and forceful”, adding that dozens of Afghan combatants were killed.
“Pakistan’s brave forces have given a prompt and effective response — no provocation will be tolerated,” said Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, condemning Afghan fire on civilians as “a blatant violation of international law.”
President Asif Ali Zardari also backed the army’s actions, noting that UN reports confirm terrorist attacks originating from Afghan soil, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denounced the “provocation by Afghanistan in Pakistan’s border areas.”
Videos shared by PTV News appeared to show several Afghan positions ablaze and Afghan soldiers surrendering in Kurram district. The Torkham border crossing has since been closed to all traffic.
Kabul accuses Pakistan of air strikes
The clashes erupted days after Afghanistan accused Pakistan of conducting air strikes near Kabul and in Paktika province. The Afghan defence ministry said Taliban border forces had launched “retaliatory operations” against Pakistani troops but later announced that “operations ended at midnight.”
Islamabad has not confirmed carrying out strikes inside Afghanistan, but officials said the country reserves the right to act in self-defence against militants using Afghan territory.
“Afghanistan is being used as a base for terrorism in Pakistan — and there is evidence of this,” said Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, spokesman for the Pakistani military.
Regional calls for restraint
As tensions mounted, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged both sides “to exercise restraint,” saying stability between the two neighbours was “vital for regional peace.” Saudi Arabia and Qatar issued similar appeals, calling for dialogue and de-escalation.
The confrontation underscores the rapid deterioration in relations between Islamabad and Kabul, long strained over terrorist groups operating across the border. Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Taliban-led government of harbouring militants from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — a charge Afghanistan denies.
With both capitals trading accusations and cross-border shelling intensifying, regional observers warn that the crisis risks spiralling into the most serious military confrontation between Pakistan and Afghanistan in years.
