Deadly Border Clashes Escalate as Pakistan and Afghanistan Attempt Diplomatic Resolution

Karachi:

Five Pakistani soldiers and 25 terrorists have perished in violent confrontations near the Afghanistan border, according to military statements released Sunday. These incidents occurred as delegations from both nations gathered to ease tensions following the most lethal border conflicts in recent years.

The military reported that terrorists attempted to infiltrate from Afghanistan on Friday and Saturday through the rugged terrains of Kurram and North Waziristan districts along Pakistan's northwestern frontier.

Pakistan's military media wing stated that these infiltration attempts raise questions about the Afghan government's commitment to "addressing the issue of terrorism emanating from its soil."

In Afghanistan, neither the Taliban government's chief spokesperson nor the defense ministry provided immediate responses to requests for comment regarding these reported attacks.

The Taliban consistently denies harboring terrorists and contends that Pakistan's military operations violate Afghan sovereignty.

Officials from both countries are currently meeting in Istanbul, working to prevent renewed conflict following military clashes earlier this month – the most severe border fighting since the Taliban regained control of Kabul in 2021.

The recent hostilities erupted after Pakistan demanded that the Taliban control terrorists allegedly operating from Afghan sanctuaries, leading to intense exchanges of fire and Pakistani airstrikes. Both sides established a truce in Doha last Sunday.

Pakistan's Defense Minister, Khawaja Asif, stated on Saturday that the truce was holding and expressed belief that Afghanistan desires peace. However, he cautioned that failure to reach an agreement in Istanbul would result in "open war."

Pakistan's military described the recent attackers as members of "Fitna al Khwarij," a term it uses for groups allegedly inspired by terrorist ideology and supported by "foreign sponsors."