Pakistani security forces said they killed several Afghan Taliban fighters during a clash in the Gulistan sector along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border on Friday. The reported fighting comes amid a fresh escalation between Islamabad and the Taliban government in Kabul following Pakistani strikes inside Afghanistan.
According to Pakistani security sources, Afghan Taliban fighters allegedly attempted to enter Pakistani territory in Balochistan’s Gulistan area, leading to an exchange of fire. Intermittent firing reportedly continued into the night. The casualty claims and circumstances of the clash have not been independently verified, while there was no immediate detailed response from the Afghan Taliban on the incident.
The confrontation followed Pakistani aerial and drone strikes on 10 locations in Afghanistan. Islamabad said the strikes targeted sites linked to drone operations after it reported that drones had entered Pakistani territory. Afghan authorities have condemned the strikes and disputed Pakistan’s account.
The latest escalation follows Pakistani airstrikes earlier in September, which Islamabad said targeted militant positions. Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Taliban administration of allowing Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and allied groups to operate from Afghan territory, while Kabul rejects the allegations.
The renewed border violence comes after several months of tensions and threatens efforts by regional countries to encourage dialogue between the two neighbours. Both sides continue to exchange accusations over cross-border attacks, militant activity and military operations.
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