- 29 soldiers also injured during skirmishes erupted following attack from across border and infiltration attempt: ISPR
- 21 hostile positions on Afghan side also briefly physically captured and multiple terrorist training camps rendered inoperative
- Afghan forces opened fire at multiple locations along frontier, including Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, Chitral in KP and Bahram Chah in Balochistan
- Pakistan’s forces ‘exercised right of self-defence and decisively repelled the assault all along the border
- Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran and China call for restraint after clashes broke out last night
ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI: At least 23 Pakistani troops embraced martyrdom while over 200 Taliban and affiliated terrorist were killed in fierce overnight clashes along the Pak-Afghan border, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Sunday, following an unprovoked attack from the Afghan side.
According to the ISPR statement, the confrontation began on the night of October 11-12 when “Afghan Taliban and India-sponsored Fitna al-Khawarij launched an unprovoked assault on Pakistani border posts,” triggering heavy exchanges of fire and precision strikes across several flashpoints. The military said its troops “responded decisively in self-defence,” inflicting heavy casualties and destroying multiple Taliban positions along the frontier.
🚨🚨🚨#ISPR
Rawalpindi, 12 Oct 2025On the night of 11/12 Oct 2025, Afghan Taliban and Indian-sponsored Fitna al Khawarij launched an unprovoked attack on #Pakistan, along Pak –#Afghanistan border. The cowardly action, which included fire and few physical raids, was aimed at… pic.twitter.com/TTtShF2w8j
— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) October 12, 2025
Fitna al-Khawarij is the term used by the Pakistani state for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while Fitna al-Hindustan refers to militant networks allegedly backed by India and operating from Balochistan.
“During the skirmishes, 23 brave sons of Pakistan embraced shahadat while 29 soldiers sustained injuries. According to credible intelligence estimates, more than 200 Taliban and affiliated terrorists have been neutralised, with a higher number wounded,” the ISPR statement said.
The clashes mark one of the deadliest exchanges between the two sides in recent years and come amid renewed tensions over cross-border militancy and Kabul’s alleged failure to curb the activities of anti-Pakistan groups operating from Afghan soil.
Border flashpoints and military response
Security sources cited by state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported that Afghan forces opened fire at multiple locations along the frontier, including Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, Chitral in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Bahram Chah in Balochistan.
The ISPR said Pakistan’s forces “exercised the right of self-defence and decisively repelled the assault all along the border,” targeting Taliban positions through “precision fires, strikes, and physical raids” against terrorist camps and support networks.
According to the statement, several Taliban bases and training facilities—linked to Fitna al-Khawarij, Fitna al-Hindustan and Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP/Daesh)—were destroyed in the operations. “All possible measures were taken to avoid collateral damage and protect civilian lives,” it said.
The ISPR further noted that 21 hostile positions on the Afghan side were “briefly captured,” with multiple camps and posts rendered inoperative. “The infrastructural damage to Taliban posts, camps, and headquarters ranges from tactical to operational depth,” it added.
“The armed forces of Pakistan remain fully prepared to defend the country’s territorial integrity, life, and property. While we prefer constructive diplomacy and dialogue over belligerence, we will not tolerate the treacherous use of Afghan soil for terrorism against Pakistan,” the statement concluded.
It also voiced concern over the timing of the attack, which coincided with the Afghan Taliban foreign minister’s visit to India, calling it “a serious provocation occurring during engagement with the biggest sponsor of terrorism in the region.”
Afghan posts, camps targeted
State broadcaster PTV News later reported details of the posts and camps targeted in the retaliatory operation, citing security sources. It said the Pakistan Army successfully struck and “neutralised” Durrani Camp, Manojba Camp Battalion Headquarters and Manojba Camp-2, Ghaznali Headquarters in Noshki Sector, and the Asmatullah Karar Camp at Spin Boldak—described as “one of the largest Taliban facilities used to plan operations against Pakistan.”
Afghan forces stationed in these facilities reportedly suffered “dozens of casualties,” with key installations and armour destroyed. Footage shared by state media also showed “secondary engagement” and the destruction of the Karar camp.
Additional reports said Taliban posts in the Brabcha area of Chagai district, as well as Barikot base camp, Manojba Camp-3, Karzai Post, and Shapola Khula Post, were destroyed. A major Afghan post in the Zhob sector was temporarily captured and the Pakistani flag raised there. Several Taliban tanks were also destroyed in precision strikes opposite Kurram.
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Meanwhile, the Torkham border crossing was closed for all traffic following the exchange of fire, along with the Chaman, Kharlachi, Angoor Adda, and Ghulam Khan crossings, according to local officials.
Kabul’s response and regional reactions
Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid accused Islamabad of carrying out earlier air strikes in Afghan territory and said the weekend clashes were “retaliatory.” He urged Pakistan to “desist from using force, as such actions will have negative consequences.”
Mujahid alleged that “certain elements within the Pakistani security establishment want to destabilise Afghanistan,” adding that the Taliban government “possessed weapons to respond.”
Afghan defence officials confirmed that “retaliatory operations” had been conducted in border provinces including Kunar, Nangarhar, Paktika, Khost, and Helmand but said attacks were halted at the request of Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Kabul’s Ministry of Defence warned, however, that its forces were ready to “respond firmly” if Pakistan “violated Afghanistan’s territory again.”
‘No compromise on sovereignty’: Zardari, Shehbaz
As details of the border skirmishes emerged, Pakistan’s top leadership reaffirmed that there would be “no compromise” on national sovereignty.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif both praised the armed forces for their “effective and comprehensive response” and paid tribute to the 23 soldiers who laid down their lives.
وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی افغانستان کی جانب سے پاکستان کے سرحدی علاقوں میں اشتعال انگیزی کی شدید مذمت
اشتعال انگیزی کے جواب میں بھرپور اور مؤثر کارروائی پر وزیراعظم کا پاک فوج کو خراج تحسین
“فیلڈ مارشل سید عاصم منیر کی بے باک قیادت میں پاک فوج نے افغانستان کی اشتعال انگیزی کا… pic.twitter.com/vaLNihNZfI
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) October 12, 2025
The prime minister said Pakistan’s armed forces had “successfully targeted terrorist hideouts operating from Afghan soil,” adding that Pakistan had repeatedly shared intelligence about the presence of “Fitna al-Khwarij and Fitna al-Hindustan” in Afghanistan.
He said that while Pakistan remained committed to regional peace, any attempt to undermine its security would be met with a “decisive and effective response.”
President Zardari called on the Afghan interim government to take “verifiable action” against anti-Pakistan terrorist elements operating from its territory and warned that the “menace of Khawarij and India-sponsored groups” was the greatest threat to regional stability.
PRESIDENT’S SECRETARIAT
(Media Wing)Press Release
President Zardari’s Response to Afghan Aggression
ISLAMABAD, October 12, 2025: President Asif Ali Zardari has reaffirmed that Pakistan remains firmly committed to safeguarding its national interests, regional sovereignty, and…
— Murtaza Solangi (@murtazasolangi) October 12, 2025
Interior minister, cabinet members laud military response
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi described the attack as a “gross violation of international law” and said the “cowardly assault” would not go unanswered. “Pakistan’s brave forces have once again demonstrated unmatched courage in defending the nation’s borders,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan’s response targeted only militant infrastructure and was “not aimed at the Afghan civilian population.” He urged the Taliban government to take “concrete measures against terrorist elements” and reaffirmed that Pakistan would take all steps necessary to defend its sovereignty.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar termed the Afghan attack “a deliberate provocation” coinciding with the Afghan foreign minister’s visit to India. “The timing raises serious questions about the motives behind this aggression,” he said.
International calls for restraint
Following the clashes, several countries urged Pakistan and Afghanistan to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue.
Saudi Arabia called for “avoiding escalation and embracing dialogue and wisdom to maintain regional stability,” reaffirming support for efforts to promote peace.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said both countries must “exercise restraint,” noting that stability between them was crucial for regional security.
Qatar’s foreign ministry similarly urged both sides to prioritise diplomacy and avoid actions that could escalate tensions, reaffirming its “commitment to ensuring peace and prosperity for the peoples of both countries.”
Statement | Qatar Expresses Concern Over Border Tensions Between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Calls for Dialogue and Restraint#MOFAQatar pic.twitter.com/uUtnf8KCuN
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) October 11, 2025
Events leading up to the confrontation
The border clashes follow a series of militant attacks inside Pakistan over recent months, which Islamabad blames on groups operating from Afghan territory. Pakistan has repeatedly urged Kabul to act against the TTP and affiliated outfits, warning that its “patience is wearing thin.”
Last week, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told Parliament that “Pakistan’s patience has worn out,” emphasising that cross-border terrorism would no longer be tolerated.
The latest escalation occurred days after Afghan officials accused Pakistan of conducting air strikes in Paktika province and “violating Afghan airspace.” The Foreign Office in Islamabad did not confirm or deny the strikes but reiterated that Pakistan had the right to act in self-defence against cross-border terrorism.
ISPR Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, at a concurrent press conference in Peshawar, also underscored Pakistan’s right to defend itself, saying: “Afghanistan is being used as a base of operations for carrying out terrorism in Pakistan. There is clear evidence of this.”
Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi—who was in India during the clashes—condemned the air strike allegation and held a press conference in New Delhi, marking the first high-level Taliban-India engagement since 2021.
The timing of these developments, analysts noted, added a complex diplomatic dimension to the latest hostilities, coming months after renewed tensions between Pakistan and India earlier this year.
A fragile moment in regional stability
Sunday’s exchange marks a significant deterioration in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, with Islamabad insisting that militant networks like the TTP have regrouped under Kabul’s protection.
While both countries have previously sought to address concerns through dialogue, the intensity of this confrontation has raised fears of prolonged border instability.
As Pakistan mourns the loss of 23 soldiers and vows to protect its sovereignty, the episode underscores a growing regional consensus — echoed by Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Qatar — that sustained peace will require restraint, mutual trust, and verifiable action against all forms of cross-border terrorism.
