Over 200 Taliban, affiliates killed; 23 Pakistani soldiers martyred in border clashes: Pak Army

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani forces repelled an “unprovoked” cross-border assault overnight and inflicted heavy losses on Afghan Taliban fighters and affiliated militants, the military’s media wing said, estimating more than 200 enemy fighters neutralized while 23 Pakistani soldiers embraced martyrdom.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Afghan Taliban fighters, joined by Fitna al-Khawarij, a militant faction that Islamabad identifies as Indian-sponsored proxies of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), launched a coordinated attack along multiple sectors of the Pak-Afghan frontier on the night of October 11–12.

The assault included heavy firing and limited ground raids aimed at destabilizing border districts to facilitate infiltration of terrorist elements, ISPR said in a detailed statement issued Sunday.

“Exercising the right of self-defence, the alert Armed Forces of Pakistan repelled the assault decisively all along the border and inflicted heavy casualties on Taliban forces and affiliated Khwarij,” the statement said. “Precision fires and strikes, as well as physical raids, were directed against Taliban camps, posts, terrorist training facilities and support networks operating from Afghan territory.”

The statement added that 21 hostile positions on the Afghan side were briefly captured and multiple terrorist training centres “used to plan and facilitate attacks against Pakistan” were rendered inoperative. 

23 Pakistani soldiers “embraced martyrdom while defending the territorial integrity of the motherland,” while 29 others were wounded.

According to ISPR’s post-operation assessment, more than 200 Taliban fighters and affiliated terrorists were killed and many more injured in retaliatory strikes that caused “extensive infrastructural damage to Taliban posts, camps, headquarters and support networks along the border, ranging from tactical to operational depth.”

Indian angle underscored

In a strongly worded section of the release, the military’s media wing highlighted what it described as India’s growing involvement in Afghan-based terrorism directed against Pakistan.

“Last night’s episode vindicates Pakistan’s long-standing position that the Taliban Government is actively facilitating the terrorists,” ISPR said.

“If the Taliban Government continues to sponsor terrorist outfits, in cohorts with India, for the shortsighted objective of destabilizing the region, the people and the State of Pakistan will not rest until the menace of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan is completely eliminated.”

The statement noted that the border provocation coincided with the visit of Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to New Delhi, “the biggest sponsor of terrorism in the region,” where India had recently announced plans to upgrade bilateral engagement with the Taliban regime.

“We have noted with concern that this serious provocation has occurred during the visit of the Taliban Foreign Minister to India,” ISPR added, calling on the Taliban government to take “immediate and verifiable actions to neutralize terrorist groups, including FAK, FAH and ISKP/Daesh, operating from Afghan territory.”

The military reaffirmed that Pakistan “will continue to exercise its right to defend its people by persistent neutralization of terror targets,” and urged Kabul to prioritize “the well-being, peace and prosperity of the Afghan people over irresponsible sabre-rattling.”

Clashes across multiple sectors

Security officials said Afghan troops opened unprovoked fire late Saturday night across several sectors of the frontier, including Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, Chitral in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Baramcha in Balochistan, allegedly to facilitate infiltration by Khawarij formations linked to the TTP.

Pakistani positions retaliated “with full force” using artillery, tanks and air assets, security sources told Pakistan TV Digital.

“Afghan forces are in a state of panic due to the intense retaliation,” one source said. “Several posts have been abandoned as a result of heavy losses. Afghan soldiers fled, leaving behind multiple bodies.”

Security officials said Afghanistan has formally requested a halt to Pakistan’s counter-action as precision targeting continues against Khawarij and Daesh elements operating from Afghan territory.

Video footage obtained by Pakistan TV Digital showed fires raging at several destroyed outposts, with captured installations strewn with military gear. In one clip, an Afghan Taliban fighter appeared to surrender to Pakistani troops.

‘A godsend opportunity’

Defence analyst Hasaan Khan said the episode demonstrated that Pakistan had both the legal and strategic right to eliminate terror sanctuaries across the border.

“This is a godsend opportunity for Pakistan,” Khan told Pakistan TV.

“The initiative has been taken by the Afghan Taliban; they started the war. They attacked Pakistani posts and violated international law. Now Pakistan must strike the areas where, based on our intelligence, the TTP and terrorist training camps are located.”

Khan described Muttaqi’s recent remarks against Pakistan as “jingoistic” and “provocative,” arguing that no Pakistani political leader “religious or secular,” would tolerate such rhetoric. He added that “India’s hand” was evident behind the latest escalation.

“India wants Pakistan and Afghanistan to be in actual conflict,” he said.

“The Afghan Taliban must understand Indian intentions,” Khan said. “India’s only interest in Afghanistan is to harm Pakistan.”

“They have betrayed every Afghan government in the past, from Dr. Najibullah to Hamid Karzai and Ashraf Ghani.”

Political leadership stands with Armed Forces

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday lauded the Armed Forces for their “strong and effective action” in response to Afghanistan’s provocations and for successfully targeting terrorist hideouts across the border.

“We are proud of the professional expertise of the Pakistan Armed Forces,” he said in a statement issued by his office in Lahore. “There will be no compromise on Pakistan’s defence, and every provocation will be met with a strong and effective response.”

The prime minister paid tribute to the 23 security personnel who embraced martyrdom, prayed for the elevation of their ranks and for the speedy recovery of the wounded, and expressed condolences to their families.

He reiterated that Pakistan has repeatedly provided Afghanistan with intelligence on terrorist elements, including Fitna-e-Khawarij and Fitna-e-Hindustan, operating from Afghan soil.

“Terrorist organizations are receiving support from elements present in Afghanistan,” the prime minister said, urging the Taliban caretaker government to ensure its territory is not used against Pakistan.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned Afghanistan’s “blatant violation of international law.”

“The fire and blood being played out from Afghanistan have links to our perennial enemy,” he said. “Afghanistan will be given a strong, decisive response — just as India was.”

Border crossings closed

Following the clashes, Pakistan temporarily closed all major crossings along the 2,600-kilometre Pak-Afghan frontier, including Torkham and Chaman, as well as Kharlachi, Angoor Adda and Ghulam Khan, officials confirmed.

In the wake of the rising tensions, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Qatar on Sunday voiced concern over the escalation, urging both nations to show restraint and pursue dialogue. Riyadh said it was “following with concern the tensions and clashes witnessed in the border areas,” while Tehran and Doha also called for diplomacy to prevent further escalation.

With additional inputs from Reuters, APP and Pakistan TV