Taliban-Pakistan Escalating Border Conflict: 58 Pakistani Soldiers Killed in Retaliatory Strikes

Taliban warned Pakistan of leaving "no attack unanswered".

Taliban spokesperson Zabeehullah Mujahid declared on Sunday that they eliminated at least 58 Pakistani soldiers and wounded more than 30 in retaliatory operations near the Durand Line in Behrampur district. He issued a stern warning to Pakistan, stating they would leave "no attack unanswered" and accused Pakistan of providing safe haven for ISIS terrorists.

"Pakistan has turned a blind eye to the presence of ISIS on its soil. Afghanistan has the right to defend its air and land borders and will not leave any attack unanswered. Pakistan should expel the important ISIS members who are hiding there from its soil or hand them over to the Islamic Emirate. The ISIS group poses a threat to many countries in the world, including Afghanistan," Mujahid stated.

According to the Taliban leader, while the Islamic Emirate had cleared its territory of destabilizing elements, these groups established new centers in Pashtunkhwa. "Recruits were brought to these centers for training via Karachi and Islamabad airports. Even attacks in Afghanistan are being planned from these centers, and there is documented evidence of this," he explained.

In defense of their retaliatory actions, the Taliban spokesperson added, "A significant amount of weapons also fell into the hands of the Islamic Emirate forces. In these clashes, more than 20 members of the Islamic Emirate forces were also killed or wounded. Afghanistan has the right to defend its air and land borders and will not leave any attack unanswered."

Mujahid emphasized that anyone violating their territory or airspace would "face a harsh response".

The airstrikes eventually ceased following requests from Qatar and Saudi Arabia, according to his statement.

Three explosions occurred in Afghanistan on Thursday - two in Kabul and one in southeastern Paktika. The Taliban blamed Islamabad for these incidents, accusing Pakistan of violating Afghan sovereignty. Pakistan did not confirm responsibility for the attacks but called on Kabul "to stop harbouring the Pakistani Taliban on its soil."

In retaliation, Afghan forces targeted Pakistani posts in multiple provinces including Helmand, Kandahar, Zabul, Paktika, Paktia, Khost, Nangarhar, and Kunar - all situated along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the airstrikes, asserting that Pakistan's army "not only gave a befitting reply to Afghanistan's provocations but also destroyed several of their posts, forcing them to retreat." He emphasized, "There will be no compromise on Pakistan's defence, and every provocation will be met with a strong and effective response."