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The sources said the conflict has led to significant displacement and forced deportation of Afghans between 2022 and 2024, causing anger and despair among many families.
An armed Taliban security guard stands near the closed gate of the Zero Point border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan in Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province on October 12. (Image: AFP)
Sources said that the ongoing conflict between Taliban and Pakistani army in Afghanistan is not completely unexpected as a lot of resentment has been brewing on the Durand Line for some time. news18,
The Pakistani army said at least 23 of its soldiers and more than 200 Taliban fighters were killed in border clashes overnight on 11 and 12 October. Meanwhile, the Taliban claimed that 58 Pakistani soldiers Killed in counter operation.
Tension has escalated between Pakistan and Afghanistan amid mutual allegations of cross-border aggression as Taliban leader Amir Khan Muttaki is visiting India as Afghanistan’s foreign minister.
According to top diplomatic sources, the conflict has led to significant displacement and forced deportation of thousands of Afghans from Pakistan to Afghanistan between 2022 and 2024, causing anger and despair among many families. Sources said the establishment of several new border posts is leading to daily harassment and humiliation.
Sources said pro-Pashtun sentiment has emerged, although the level of tribal and Pashtun support for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is debatable. He said, however, that it is clear that it acts as a fifth pillar for the Afghan Taliban.
TTP has an active force of 3,000 to 5,000 fighters, more skilled in guerrilla warfare than the Pakistani Army. Militarily, the Afghans control Nangarhar, Kunar and Waziristan, as well as strategic heights in Paktia and Khost.
Sources said that if the conflict drags on, the Pakistani Army may gain the upper hand due to its superior conventional military strength, better trained soldiers and advanced weaponry. He said Afghan forces rely heavily on Soviet-era AKs and mortars as well as some weapons left behind by retreating US forces. He said Afghans are also suffering from shortages of ammunition stockpiles and major external arms suppliers, having depended on Pakistan for years.
He said Pakistan could resort to more airstrikes and artillery shelling, which could lead to significant civilian casualties and also increase resentment within the country – especially among tribes with ties to Afghanistan. He said the recent Pakistani air strikes had achieved nothing except killing some local level TTP commanders.
Sources said China’s increased investment in Afghanistan means they would not be in favor of a prolonged conflict, as it would impact their trade corridor with Iran and their mining projects, including copper extraction. He said they could put pressure on Pakistan to limit its retaliation, while America’s new interest in the Bagram airbase could also advise it to exercise restraint.
What does this mean for India?
Sources said since the timing of the latest clashes coincides with Muttaki’s visit to India, it is likely to escalate tensions for Pakistan, which could result in increased terrorist activities in Kashmir.
He said that Afghanistan is currently on strategic edge, but a prolonged military conflict with Pakistan would be harmful. However, a significant Pakistani retaliation is imminent as Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir cannot afford to look weak domestically, he said.
He said Field Marshal Munir would likely accuse India of supporting the Afghan Taliban and TTP and take these allegations to Washington and President Donald Trump. He said, although New Delhi may not make open statements, it will continue to engage with the Taliban through back channels and agencies.
Sources further said that the external agency re-established ties with the Taliban after they came to power in 2021, helping the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) launch a technical mission.
“We will likely continue to provide diplomatic and humanitarian assistance, increase visa allocation to Afghans, resume flights to Kabul and increase medical and educational assistance. If Pakistan launches large-scale attacks inside Afghanistan, we will condemn it and express solidarity with Afghans and Pashtuns. Given the grievances of Pashtuns, this stance will resonate within Pakistan as well. Punjabi, “Diplomatic sources said news18,
What is the latest Pak-Afghan conflict?
The Pakistani Army said in a statement that on the intervening night of 11 and 12 October, the Afghan Taliban and the TTP “launched an unprovoked attack on Pakistan along the Pak-Afghan border”.
The statement came as Pakistan seized 19 Afghan military posts and “terrorist hideouts” in response to “unprovoked” attacks by Afghan forces in border areas, while Kabul claimed that 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 30 others were injured during the retaliatory action.
On the overnight clashes, Pakistan said the “cowardly actions” including cross-border firing and some physical raids were aimed at destabilizing the border areas to promote terrorism, furthering the “nefarious designs” of terrorists. “The troops decisively repulsed the border attack and inflicted heavy losses on Taliban forces and allied Khwarjis (TTP militants),” it said.
It said security forces launched precision strikes and physical raids on Taliban camps, checkpoints and terrorist training facilities inside Afghan territory.
“The infrastructure damage to Taliban outposts, camps, headquarters and terrorist support networks along the border is widespread and ranges from tactical to operational depth,” the statement said.
The Pakistani military said its forces took “all possible measures” to avoid civilian casualties, while also vowing to continue protecting the country’s sovereignty. The statement warned that Pakistan preferred constructive diplomacy and dialogue rather than violence and belligerence, adding, “We will not tolerate the treacherous use of Afghan soil for terrorism against Pakistan”.
It said Pakistan will continue to exercise its right to protect its people by consistently neutralizing terrorist bases, and urged the Taliban government to take “immediate and verifiable action” against terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil. The statement said the “serious provocation” came during the Taliban foreign minister’s visit to India.
What did the Pakistani government say?
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif later said there would be “no compromise” on Pakistan’s sovereignty, praising the military’s “appropriate” response which destroyed “several” Afghan posts overnight.
Zardari urged the Taliban government to take concrete and verifiable action against anti-Pakistan terrorist elements operating on Afghan soil.
Sharif praised the professionalism and decisive action of the army under the leadership of Field Marshal Munir, warning that “appropriate and effective response will be given to every provocation”.
What did Afghanistan say?
The Defense Ministry of the Taliban-led Afghan government confirmed the attacks, saying its forces had launched a “retaliatory and successful operation”.
“If the opposing side again violates the territorial integrity of Afghanistan, our armed forces are fully prepared to protect the country’s borders and will respond strongly,” the ministry said.
Afghan forces targeted Pakistani posts in Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir and Chitral in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baramcha in Balochistan.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the main spokesman for the Taliban government, said that 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed and about 30 others were injured during the operation. tolo news Informed.
Mujahid said that during the retaliatory action across the Durand Line, 20 Pakistani security posts were destroyed and several weapons and military equipment were seized. He said that according to reports, nine Afghan soldiers were killed and 16 others were injured in the operation. He said the operation was halted at midnight following requests from Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
(with agency input)
Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18
Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18
October 12, 2025, 20:43 IST
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