At least 18 Pakistani Army soldiers were killed, with several more taken prisoner, on Sunday as fighting along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border escalated overnight.

This surge in violence followed retaliatory strikes by Afghan forces after Pakistan carried out an air raid on Kabul earlier in the the week—an attack Islamabad claimed was aimed at a senior militant leader of the Tehreek-i-Taliban.

The 2,640-kilometre-long Durand Line, which marks the international boundary between Afghanistan and Pakistan, cuts through rugged and remote terrain in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and adjacent border zones.

According to sources speaking with CNN-News18, Afghan forces targeted Pakistani posts in Shorabak, Maruf, and Arghistan districts of Kandahar province. Cross-border exchanges of gunfire and artillery reportedly persisted through the night.

These sources added that Pakistan responded with drones and heavy weaponry, attempting to demonstrate technological dominance, but still incurred heavy losses. They further claimed that the Pakistan Air Force struck civilian villages near the border, inflicting injuries and destroying homes—moves aligned with Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s earlier warning about “collateral damage.”

Afghan forces said they succeeded in capturing a Pakistani military base, recovering multiple bodies of militants they say were Pakistan-backed. On the other hand, Pakistani intelligence sources countered that they demolished 19 Afghan check posts and seized several positions. Pakistan’s side accused Afghan fighters of attacks along the Durand Line in Nangarhar, Kunar, Khost, Paktia, and Helmand provinces.

According to reports from the Afghan Taliban, Pakistani casualties occurred across Nangarhar, Kunar, Khost, Paktia, and Helmand, with members of the Frontier Corps, Khasadars, and other paramilitary units among them. Two Pakistani soldiers were captured in the Palucha area of Khost.

Security officials also revealed that seven Pakistani militia outposts were destroyed in the Sarri Qaragah area of Loi Band in Maruf district. Additional assaults were launched on other key routes.

From Pakistan’s side, the 7th Frontier Corps, operating under its Azm Corps, confirmed that 12 soldiers died while defending military posts in Helmand’s Bahram Cha district.

Meanwhile, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Iran appealed to both nations to show restraint in what has become one of the most serious flare-ups across the Afghanistan–Pakistan border in recent years.

Rising Strains Between the Two Neighbors

This border conflagration occurred against a backdrop of mounting tension between Afghanistan and Pakistan. On October 9, Pakistan launched airstrikes in Afghanistan's eastern regions, targeting senior leaders of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), including its chief, Noor Wali Mehsud. In retaliation, Afghan forces struck Pakistani military outposts near the Durand Line, with reports indicating they damaged several in Nangarhar and Kunar, undermining Pakistan’s forward presence in those areas.

The Afghan Defense Ministry stated that “Pakistani side’s facilities and equipment were destroyed in tonight’s attacks.” They added that “One outpost each across Kunar and Helmand had been destroyed, while Pakistani forces reportedly suffered casualties and lost several weapons and vehicles to the Taliban fighters.”

Despite the aggressive claims, Pakistan’s military had yet to release an official comment at the time. In its statement, the Afghan military said Taliban forces, “in retaliation for air strikes carried out by the Pakistani army on Kabul,” were involved “in heavy clashes against Pakistani security forces in various areas” along the border.

Later, Taliban spokesman Enayat Khowarazm told AFP that the “successful” operations had ended at midnight, but he also cautioned: “If the opposing side violates Afghanistan's territory again, our armed forces are ready to defend their territory and will respond firmly.”

Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Muttaqi Visits India

The unfolding hostilities coincide with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s eight-day trip to India. He entered via road from Delhi, and was welcomed at the Darul Uloom seminary by its Vice-Chancellor Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani, Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind president Maulana Arshad Madani, and local officials amidst a shower of flowers. Students and local residents also gathered to greet him, while security forces enforced strict measures.

Addressing reporters, Muttaqi said, “I am thankful for such a grand welcome and the affection shown by the people here. I hope that India-Afghanistan ties advance further.”

Analysts see this visit as both a religious and diplomatic move. It challenges Pakistan’s assertion as the main patron of Deobandi Islam and Taliban politics. By visiting Deoband, the Taliban leadership appears to signal religious linkages that stretch beyond Pakistan, hinting at reduced reliance on Islamabad.

During the trip, Muttaqi expressed hopes for deeper cooperation between the two nations. He stated, “We will be sending new diplomats, and I hope you people will visit Kabul as well. These visits may be frequent in the near future.” He also talked about potential joint work with India on projects like Iran’s Chabahar port, accepting that international sanctions pose obstacles.

The latest border clash is among the most intense since the Taliban regained power in 2021. The Durand Line remains one of the most fraught zones in South Asia, with both nations repeatedly accusing each other of backing militant campaigns across their boundary.