ALBAWABA- At least 84 people were reported killed as heavy fighting erupted along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border on Thursday, marking one of the deadliest escalations in recent months.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Defence said Afghan Taliban forces launched “unprovoked” attacks across several sectors of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, including Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram, and Bajaur. Islamabad stated its forces mounted an “immediate and effective response,” claiming 44 Taliban fighters were killed, multiple border posts destroyed and equipment damaged.
Pakistan’s Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, said two Pakistani security personnel were killed and three others injured in the clashes.
The Afghan Taliban rejected Islamabad’s account. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed Afghan fighters killed 40 Pakistani soldiers in Kunar province, alleging that 13 bodies were recovered and up to 17 border posts captured without Afghan casualties.
Deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat separately said 15 posts had been seized and that Pakistani forces suffered heavy losses.
There has been no independent verification of casualty figures from either side. Unconfirmed reports also suggested Pakistani electronic warfare systems may have downed an Afghan drone.
The latest violence follows Pakistani airstrikes on February 22 in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar, Paktika, and Khost provinces. Islamabad said the strikes targeted Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State Khorasan hideouts, killing more than 80 militants. Kabul condemned the attacks as violations of Afghan sovereignty and claimed 18 civilians, including women and children, were killed.
Tensions along the disputed 2,600-kilometre Durand Line have persisted since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. Pakistan accuses Kabul of harboring TTP militants responsible for cross-border attacks, while Afghan authorities deny the allegations. Previous border clashes in October 2025 left dozens dead, and stalled peace efforts in November further strained ties.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called for restraint and renewed dialogue to prevent further escalation, warning of mounting civilian risks in the volatile border region.
