Significant cross-border artillery exchanges occurred on Thursday, marking an escalation of hostilities along the shared frontier, according to multiple sources.
The fighting erupted after the Taliban claimed it initiated retaliatory strikes against Pakistani military posts, while Islamabad stated it was countering unprovoked attacks from the area.
Reports indicated that the two forces engaged in combat for over two hours along their approximately 2,600-kilometer (1,615-mile) border, jeopardizing a ceasefire that was established in 2025 after previous conflicts.
This recent surge in violence follows airstrikes conducted by Pakistani forces inside Afghanistan earlier in the week; Taliban officials reported the strikes resulted in at least 18 fatalities, according to a February 24 report.
Pakistan, meanwhile, stated it was targeting militant hideouts and denied allegations that civilian areas were hit.
Taliban officials subsequently characterized their actions as an “extensive” military campaign targeting Pakistani army positions in retaliation for the airstrikes.
“In response to repeated provocations, extensive preemptive operations have been launched against Pakistani military positions along the Durand Line,” a Taliban spokesperson posted on X.
In a separate communication, the spokesperson noted that “specialized laser units” were active during nighttime operations.
In a video provided to Reuters, Taliban military spokesman Mawlawi Wahidullah Mohammadi also confirmed that the offensive commenced on Thursday evening.
The spokesperson claimed that “numerous” Pakistani soldiers had been killed and others captured, though Reuters noted it could not independently confirm these assertions.
In another post on X, the spokesperson commented on the earlier Pakistani airstrikes, saying, “The cowardly Pakistani army has bombed some places in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia. Praise be to God, no one was harmed.”
Pakistan has rejected the Taliban’s version of events.
On X, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting stated that the Taliban’s “unprovoked action along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border” received an “immediate and effective response.”
The ministry asserted that Taliban forces had “miscalculated and opened unprovoked fire on multiple locations” along the border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The post confirmed that this aggression was being met with an “immediate and effective response by Pakistan’s security forces.”
“Early reports confirm significant casualties on the Afghan side with multiple posts and equipment destroyed,” the ministry stated.
“Pakistan will take all necessary measures to ensure its territorial integrity and the safety and security of its citizens.”
Pakistani security sources additionally informed Reuters that 22 Taliban fighters had been killed and several quadcopters were shot down.
This conflict follows accusations from Pakistan that the Taliban is providing sanctuary to TTP militants responsible for a recent increase in violence and suicide attacks.
The Afghan Taliban denies these allegations. A day prior to the February airstrikes, Pakistani officials stated they possessed “irrefutable evidence” that militants were orchestrating attacks from within Afghanistan, according to reports.