Pakistan Claims Over 300 Afghan Forces Killed in Cross-Border Military Strikes

Pakistani military forces launched extensive airstrikes deep into Afghanistan, claiming to have killed more than 300 Afghan troops and destroyed numerous military installations. The escalating border conflict has prompted hundreds of civilians to flee the area as both nations exchange fire and accusations.

Pakistani military forces have launched extensive cross-border operations into Afghanistan, with officials claiming more than 300 Afghan troops have been killed in ongoing strikes that began Thursday evening.

The escalating conflict erupted when Afghan forces initiated attacks following Pakistani military operations that targeted seven training facilities and strongholds belonging to the banned Pakistani Taliban group, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan. This organization operates separately from but maintains close ties with Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban.

Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar reported that 331 Afghan Taliban fighters have died with more than 500 injured during the continued military operations. He stated that Pakistani forces have eliminated 102 Afghan military positions, seized control of 22 additional sites, and destroyed 163 tanks and armored vehicles across 37 different locations.

Saturday saw Pakistani air forces conducting targeted operations against strategic military facilities throughout eastern Afghanistan, according to state media reports.

The violence has forced hundreds of civilians living near the northwestern Torkham border checkpoint to evacuate to secure areas. Pakistani authorities have also relocated dozens of Afghan refugees who had been waiting at Torkham to return home.

Afghan officials have not yet responded to Pakistan’s Saturday casualty claims.

Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry announced Saturday that their forces attacked Pakistani military installations in Miranshah and Spin Wam during overnight operations, claiming to have destroyed military facilities and inflicted significant casualties in retaliation for Pakistan’s ongoing aerial bombardment.

Eastern Afghanistan’s Department of Information and Culture has accused Pakistan of striking civilian neighborhoods, demolishing homes and causing at least 11 deaths. Pakistani officials maintain they are exclusively targeting military sites to prevent civilian harm and have not immediately addressed these allegations.

Afghan border commissioner Mullah Taj Mohammad Naqshbandi stated Saturday that “brave forces of the Islamic Emirate destroyed the Pakistani military regime’s commissariat, military units, and three important security towers.”

Friday saw Afghan government officials claim 55 Pakistani soldiers died in their counterattacks while asserting their own losses were significantly lower than Pakistani estimates.

Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid declared Friday that their strikes against Pakistani military targets served “a message that our hands can reach their throats and that we will respond to every evil act of Pakistan.” He criticized Pakistan, saying “Pakistan has never sought to resolve problems through dialogue.”

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif responded on social media platform X the same day: “Our patience has now run out. Now it is open war between us.” Pakistan consistently accuses Kabul of providing sanctuary to the TTP, charges both the militant group and Afghanistan’s Taliban government reject.

Pakistani army spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry stated Friday that Afghanistan’s government faces a simple decision: “either choose TTP or Pakistan.”

Afghan refugee Ejaz Ul Haq, stranded with his family near the Torkham crossing, explained he cannot return to Afghanistan due to the fighting. He noted many others are struggling to find food during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Pakistani villager Guftar, residing near Torkham, called on both governments to establish a ceasefire, emphasizing that ordinary citizens are suffering the most from this conflict.

Border tensions have remained elevated since October, when dozens of soldiers, civilians and suspected militants died in similar clashes. A Qatar-brokered ceasefire stopped that intense fighting, but multiple peace negotiations in Turkey during November failed to create a permanent resolution. While both sides occasionally exchanged fire afterward, the ceasefire remained mostly intact until last week’s Pakistani strikes on alleged TTP hideouts.

Multiple nations including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, China and others are now working to reduce tensions through diplomatic mediation efforts.

Qatar’s state minister Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi conducted discussions Friday with foreign ministers from both Afghanistan and Pakistan in an attempt to calm the situation, according to Qatar’s Foreign Ministry social media announcement.