In brief
The Taliban has announced that it has killed 58 Pakistani military personnel in retaliatory attacks, alleging that Pakistan bombed markets inside Afghan territory. Both countries dispute the numbers, with Pakistan claiming a lower death toll while promising a strong response. The situation has led to the closure of major border crossings, further straining relations between the two nations.
The Taliban government has confirmed that it attacked Pakistani troops in multiple mountainous locations on the northern border.
A Taliban spokesman said 58 Pakistani military personnel had been killed in what it called an act of retaliation. It claimed Pakistan had violated Afghan airspace and bombed a market inside its border on Thursday.
Pakistan has disputed that figure, saying 23 of its armed forces' members had died and claiming that 200 Taliban and affiliated terrorists have been neutralized.
Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the Afghan attacks were unprovoked and civilians were fired at, warning that his country's forces would respond with a stone for every brick.
Islamabad has accused Kabul of harbouring terrorists who target Pakistan on its soil, a claim the Taliban government rejected.
Both sides have reportedly used small arms and artillery in the Kunar-Kurram region. The Taliban described that along with the deaths, around 30 Pakistani soldiers were wounded and nine Taliban fighters had died, with injuries among their ranks reaching into the hundreds.
The border situation has intensified, leading to a closure of crossings, stranding hundreds of trucks carrying goods. Military officials from both sides have reported heavy exchanges of fire near their respective borders.
The recent escalation coincides with diplomatic efforts, as the Afghan foreign minister completed a visit to India, where discussions included the re-opening of India's embassy in Kabul.
In response to this conflict, Saudi Arabia has called for restraint, while Qatar advised both nations to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy.
