Monday, October 13, 2025-Afghanistan’s defense ministry has announced that its forces killed 58 Pakistani soldiers during overnight operations along the disputed Durand Line, escalating tensions between the two neighbors.
The clashes reportedly erupted after Pakistani artillery units allegedly fired into Afghan territory near Khost and Paktika provinces.
Kabul’s statement described the operation as “defensive retaliation,” asserting that its troops responded to repeated violations of Afghan airspace and border incursions. Islamabad has yet to confirm the casualties but condemned the incident as a “provocation with serious regional consequences.”
The announcement has sent shockwaves across South Asia, where relations between the two countries have deteriorated sharply since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
Social media in both nations has exploded with nationalist rhetoric—Afghans hailing the move as a show of sovereignty, while Pakistanis accuse Kabul of fabricating the figures to mask internal unrest. Regional observers warn the situation could spiral further if diplomatic channels are not reopened immediately.
Analysts say the confrontation exposes growing instability along the Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier, already plagued by militant groups and cross-border insurgent attacks. If verified, this would mark one of the deadliest incidents between the two nations in years.
As the international community calls for restraint, both capitals face a defining test: whether to pursue retaliation or dialogue in a region where peace remains fragile and fleeting.
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