Pakistan and Afghan Taliban Clash Along Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Border

Fresh hostilities erupted Tuesday night along the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa border in Pakistan’s Kurram district, involving Pakistani security forces and the Afghan Taliban, reports the Associated Press.

According to Pakistan’s state-run media, Afghan forces allegedly fired first without provocation, prompting Pakistani troops to respond forcefully. The counterattack reportedly damaged several Afghan tanks and posts. Two Pakistani security officials confirmed the incident to AP.

State broadcaster PTV News reported, “Afghan Taliban and Fitna al-Khawarij opened unprovoked fire in Kurram. Pakistani Army responded with full force and intensity.” Islamabad claims Afghan forces have repeatedly targeted its border posts, while Kabul insists its actions defend against airspace violations and protect sovereignty.

The clash reportedly began when Afghan troops, along with Pakistani Taliban fighters, attacked a Pakistani post in Kurram. Pakistani forces retaliated, destroying what officials described as a major Taliban training camp. Taliban fighters allegedly fled following the firefight.

Pakistan’s military has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident.

Escalating Cross-Border Tensions

Over the past weekend, Afghanistan’s Taliban government claimed to have killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in retaliatory strikes on multiple military posts. Pakistan disputed the figures, reporting 23 soldiers lost and over 200 Taliban fighters killed in return fire.

Tensions have been rising as Kabul earlier accused Pakistan of conducting airstrikes in Afghan cities and markets — claims Islamabad has not confirmed.

Long-Standing Disputes Over TTP

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a group closely linked to the Afghan Taliban, has long been a point of contention. Pakistan alleges Afghan soil is being used as a safe haven for TTP operations, a claim Kabul denies, asserting no attacks are staged from Afghan territory.

The situation underscores the fragile security situation along the Pak-Afghan border, with both sides blaming each other for escalating violence.