A ferocious Taliban assault along the Durand Line has resulted in the deaths of 12 Pakistani soldiers, marking a severe escalation in the ongoing conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The offensive is reportedly a direct response to recent Pakistani airstrikes that targeted TTP officials on Afghan soil. Afghan defense sources have asserted that several Pakistani outposts were overrun during the intense fighting.
The border clash, which erupted late Saturday, follows a period of heightened tensions. Pakistan’s airstrikes on October 9th, aimed at neutralizing Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leadership, including its chief Noor Wali Mehsud, in Afghanistan’s eastern regions, appear to have provoked this significant retaliation. Afghan forces allegedly launched counterattacks targeting Pakistani military installations near the Durand Line, with reports from Kabul claiming the destruction of Pakistani equipment and substantial troop losses.
The Afghan Ministry of Defense stated that Pakistani military assets were destroyed in the counteroffensive, specifying the loss of outposts in Kunar and Helmand provinces. They further claimed that Pakistani forces suffered casualties and lost weapons and vehicles to the Taliban fighters. A spokesperson for the Taliban’s defense ministry confirmed the conclusion of offensive operations and warned of firm future responses to any territorial violations by Pakistan.
This violent development occurs concurrently with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to India. His reception in Deoband was significant, drawing attention to potential shifts in regional diplomacy and challenging Pakistan’s established role as a key intermediary. Muttaqi expressed enthusiasm for strengthening Afghan-Indian relations, hinting at increased diplomatic engagement and exploring collaborative projects like the Chabahar port, while acknowledging the impact of international sanctions. The deadly border incident, however, underscores the volatile and dangerous reality of the Durand Line, which remains a persistent flashpoint between the two nations.
