Taliban says 58 Pakistani soldiers killed in cross-border clashes

In one of the most intense military escalations in recent months, Afghanistan’s Taliban government announced Sunday that its forces killed 58 Pakistani soldiers and injured dozens more during a nighttime military operation along the shared border.

The announcement marks a serious flare-up in tensions along the volatile frontier and raises fears of a wider confrontation between the two neighbors.

Operation details from Kabul

Speaking at a press conference in Kabul, Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the overnight operation was carried out in response to what he described as “Pakistani movements” along the border.

“During the clashes, 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 30 others wounded,” Mujahid said, acknowledging that Taliban forces also suffered casualties, with nine of its fighters killed in the exchange.

Rising tensions and potential fallout

The clashes took place along the historically disputed Durand Line, which separates Afghanistan and Pakistan. The border has witnessed sporadic fighting in recent years, but the scale of casualties reported by the Taliban -if confirmed- would mark a dangerous and unprecedented escalation.

As of the time of publication, there has been no official comment from the Pakistani government or military regarding the Taliban’s claims. Observers are now watching closely for Islamabad’s response, which could determine the next phase of the already strained relationship between the two countries.