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Following overnight exchanges of fire along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, Islamabad shuts key crossings. Was this retaliation for airstrikes, or a deeper strategic move? Here’s what’s behind the escalating tensions.
58 Pakistani soldiers and 9 Afghan soldiers killed.
Islamabad: Islamabad has closed multiple border crossings with Afghanistan after a deadly overnight exchange of fire between the two countries’ forces. Pakistani and Afghan officials reported significant casualties, while local residents described intermittent gunfire in Kurram even after the main fighting subsided.
The clash began late Saturday when Afghan troops fired at Pakistani border posts, claiming it was a response to earlier Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan targeting Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants. Islamabad responded with heavy gunfire and artillery, reportedly destroying several Afghan border posts.
Pakistan’s key border points, including Torkham and Chaman, were officially closed on Sunday. Additionally, three smaller crossings—Kharlachi, Angoor Adda, and Ghulam Khan—were also sealed, restricting cross-border movement. Afghan officials have not immediately commented on the closures, although Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated that “there is no threat in any part of Afghanistan.”
The border between Pakistan and Afghanistan stretches 2,600 km (1,600 miles) and has long been a flashpoint, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of sheltering militants who target Pakistan—a charge denied by the Taliban administration.
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Both sides reported heavy casualties in the overnight confrontation. Afghanistan claimed that 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 30 others wounded, while nine Afghan soldiers also lost their lives. Afghan forces reportedly occupied 25 Pakistani posts during the exchanges.
Earlier in the week, Afghan authorities accused Pakistan of airstrikes in Kabul and in eastern marketplaces, targeting the TTP leadership, though Islamabad has neither confirmed nor denied these reports. The TTP, which seeks to overthrow the Pakistani government and impose strict Islamic governance, maintains close ties with the Afghan Taliban.
Pakistan closes major border crossings with Afghanistan.
In response to the escalating situation, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi stated that Afghanistan has no issues with Pakistan and possesses “other ways to handle the situation” if dialogue is not pursued. He dismissed claims that Afghanistan’s closer ties with India were behind Pakistan’s actions, emphasizing a willingness to resolve tensions peacefully.
According to Zabihullah Mujahid, operations along the Durand Line were paused after interventions by Qatar and Saudi Arabia. While the main exchanges of fire ended by Sunday morning, localized gunfire persisted in Kurram, raising concerns about renewed clashes.
Former diplomat KP Fabian criticized Pakistan’s approach, calling it a “foreign policy failure” and suggesting that Islamabad’s aggressive stance may have worsened already strained relations with Kabul. He noted the timing coinciding with the Afghan Foreign Minister’s visit to Delhi, adding that Pakistan may have miscalculated the situation.
The border closure and reported casualties underscore the fragile security situation in the region. Analysts warn that continued military confrontations could destabilize both countries and strain diplomatic channels further. The situation remains fluid, with local officials and residents closely monitoring any renewed hostilities.
