Deadly Border Clashes Erupt: 58 Pakistani Soldiers Killed as Tensions with Afghanistan Spiral
Deadly clashes flared over the weekend along Pakistan and Afghanistan’s border as tensions escalated between the two countries. The Taliban said their men shot dead 58 Pakistani soldiers during midnight operations.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) October 12: Shehbaz Sharif is the president of Pakistan. He condemned Afghanistan’s “provocations” on Sunday and vowed a “strong” response to the attack. At least 58 Pakistani soldiers have been killed in the attack.
“There will be no compromise on Pakistan’s defence, and every provocation would have strong and effective response,” he added.
Pakistan accuses Afghan forces of firing on civilians in border towns
Mohsin Naqvi, is the cabinet minister of interior in Pakistan. He alleged Afghan soldiers were firing on civilians, and referred to the Afghan strikes as “unprovoked.”
He posted, “Firing by Afghan forces on civilian population is a blatant violation of international laws. Pakistan’s brave forces have given a prompt and effective response that no provocation will be tolerated” on social media platform X.
Security forces from the two countries fought in one of their bloodiest recent clashes near their common border. It killed at least 58 Pakistani soldiers and nine Afghan soldiers overnight.
Afghanistan claimed that the activities at the predawn hour were in response to Pakistan’s continued violation of its airspace and territory.
Taliban claims capture of 25 Pakistani posts
Zabihullah Mujahid is a spokesman for Taliban the government in Afghanistan. He said the operations against Pakistan were halted at Saturday midnight following intervention of Saudi Arabia and Qatar. I also brought to attention that Afghan forces had captured 25 Pakistani army posts, he said.
He said, “The state of affairs on all official and de facto borders or boundaries of Afghanistan remains under complete control and most illegal activities have been neutralized.”
Kabul denies harboring TTP, urges peaceful resolution with Pakistan
Amir Khan Muttaqi is the Taliban foreign minister. Pakistan will have to handle the problem of militancy within its own boundaries itself. He also said that the situation is under control.
He said, “We want this to be settled in a peaceful manner, but if the peace efforts don’t work, we have other things.”
He also claimed TTP has no members in Afghanistan.
Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi replied, “Ask this to Pakistan. We have no difficulty at all. We have a bigger heart,” when asked whether Pakistan shifted its attacks to Afghanistan because the country was getting closer to India.
Saudi and Qatar Intervene
Afghanistan seeks peace at home and peace abroad, the Taliban foreign minister says.
He said, “Qatar and Saudi Arabia instructed both sides to cease hostilities, and we complied. Our doors are open for talks. We brought peace to Afghanistan and strive for peace throughout the entire region.”
“If someone does not want peace, we will protect our borders.”
Earlier in the week, Afghan officials had accused Pakistan of a market strike in the country’s east and another in that nation’s capital, Kabul. Pakistan has rejected any role in the attacks.
