ISLAMABAD: Fighting erupted once again on Tuesday night near the Kurram district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to official reports. State media indicated that Pakistani forces engaged in clashes with the Afghan Taliban after they allegedly initiated unprovoked fire.
“Afghan Taliban and the terrorist group Fitna al-Khawarij launched an unprovoked attack in Kurram. The Pakistani Army responded with full force and determination,” state broadcaster PTV News cited security officials on X (formerly Twitter).The term “Fitna al-Khawarij” is used by the government to refer to terrorists affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Reports suggested that Taliban positions sustained heavy damage, with a tank being set ablaze after being hit, and Taliban fighters retreating from their posts.
Earlier today, Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) stated that Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch provided a detailed briefing to resident ambassadors in Islamabad regarding recent developments along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. She emphasized Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Over the weekend, Afghan Taliban forces reportedly launched an unprovoked attack on border posts. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military lost 23 soldiers, while over 200 Taliban and affiliated militants were killed in response to the aggression by Kabul. Afghanistan claimed that its forces conducted the attack as a retaliatory move, accusing Islamabad of launching airstrikes on Afghan territory last week. Pakistan has not officially confirmed involvement in the airstrikes but continues to demand that Kabul prevent terrorist groups, including TTP, from operating within Afghan borders.
Kabul denies harboring terrorist groups and maintains that its soil is not used for cross-border attacks. Pakistan, meanwhile, has repeatedly urged Afghanistan to take action against militants operating from its territory. International actors, including U.S. President Donald Trump and China, have offered assistance to de-escalate tensions between Islamabad and Kabul. Nonetheless, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif described the environment between the two neighbors as “hostile,” even though active hostilities have temporarily subsided, he noted that “there are no formal ties” and that the situation remains tense, with the possibility of hostilities resuming at any moment.
Asif further stated that negotiations would only be considered if Afghanistan ceases threatening Pakistan. “If Afghanistan wants to negotiate while continuing to threaten us, then they should first act on their threats. We have the right to respond to attacks and target their launch points,” he explained. This story is ongoing, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available. We aim to deliver accurate and timely reporting by relying on credible sources and official statements.
