Afghanistan-Pakistan border clashes: What we know so far

"Heavy fighting has broken out between Pakistani and Afghan forces at multiple locations on their border, and the rival sides claim to have captured and destroyed border posts in one of the worst border clashes in recent years. The Taliban administration's spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said at least 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed in retaliatory attacks on Saturday night, two days after blasts were reported in the capital, Kabul, and the southeastern province of Paktika."

"The Pakistani military admitted 23 of its soldiers were martyred' while claiming to kill 200 Taliban and affiliated terrorists. Earlier, Pakistan's interior minister called the Afghan attacks unprovoked firing. The Taliban government has accused Pakistan of carrying out the recent bombings. Pakistan has neither confirmed nor denied the allegations. Pakistan is said to have backed Taliban fighters during their rebellion against the United States-led occupation of Afghanistan and was one of only three countries that recognised the first Taliban government from 1996 to 2001."

"But the rise of attacks inside Pakistan since the return of the Taliban to power in 2021 has strained their ties as Islamabad has accused the Taliban administration of providing safe haven to fighters from the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), or Pakistan Taliban. Kabul has denied the allegations. So what's the latest on the fighting? What triggered the clashes? And is the situation expected to escalate further?"

Intense clashes erupted along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border at multiple locations, with rival sides claiming capture and destruction of border posts. The Taliban spokesman reported at least 58 Pakistani soldiers killed in retaliatory attacks after blasts in Kabul and Paktika. Pakistan acknowledged 23 soldiers killed while asserting that Pakistani forces killed 200 Taliban and affiliated militants. Pakistan's interior minister described the Afghan attacks as unprovoked, and the Taliban accused Pakistan of conducting recent bombings; Pakistan has neither confirmed nor denied those allegations. Historic ties are strained by a rise in attacks since the Taliban returned to power and accusations over TTP safe havens.

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