Pakistan Says 200 Taliban Dead, Vows Strong Response After Deadly Afghanistan ‘Provocation’

Pakistan-Afghanistan border clash 2025: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday issued a strong warning to Afghanistan following a series of intense border clashes, declaring that there would be “no compromise on Pakistan’s defence”.

His remarks came amid reports from Kabul that Taliban forces killed 58 Pakistani soldiers and seized 25 military posts during overnight retaliatory strikes. On the other hand Pakistan military has killed more than 200 "Taliban and affiliated terrorists" in border clashes with Afghanistan, it said in a statement cited by Reuters.

Sharif condemned what he described as “provocations” by Afghan forces, saying Pakistan’s military had given a “firm and effective response” to the attacks. “Every act of aggression will be met with full strength. Pakistan’s armed forces are fully capable of defending every inch of our homeland,” the Prime Minister said in a statement released by his office.

He commended the Pakistan Army’s “professional excellence and bravery” under the command of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, adding that multiple Afghan posts were destroyed during the counter-offensive.

Taliban Claims Major Gains, Pakistan Denies Casualty Figures

Afghanistan’s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, told local media in Kabul that Taliban forces carried out “retaliatory and successful operations” after what they called repeated violations of Afghan territory and airspace by Pakistan. Mujahid claimed that 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed, 30 injured, and several posts captured.

But Pakistani officials have not confirmed these figures. Security sources said Afghan troops launched unprovoked fire late Saturday at multiple points along the frontier, including Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, and Zhob. Pakistan responded with heavy artillery and air support. “The firing was aimed at facilitating the movement of terrorists across the border,” one official said.

Borders Sealed, Trade Disrupted

Following the clashes, Pakistan closed all major crossings with Afghanistan, including Torkham and Chaman. At least three smaller routes, Kharlachi, Angoor Adda, and Ghulam Khan, were also sealed. The closure has disrupted cross-border trade and the movement of goods, officials confirmed Reuters.

ALSO READ: 58 Pakistani Soldiers Killed, 25 Army Posts Captured In Fierce Border Clashes After Kabul Airstrike, Says Taliban

Kabul’s Defence Ministry said the overnight operation had ended by midnight, adding that Afghan forces were “fully prepared to defend their territory if attacked again.”

ALSO READ: Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi's Scheduled Visit To Agra's Taj Mahal Cancelled Last Minute

The recent escalation follows accusations from Kabul that Pakistan carried out airstrikes in the Afghan capital and an eastern market earlier this week. Islamabad has neither confirmed nor denied the reports but maintains that militant sanctuaries in Afghanistan continue to pose a serious threat to Pakistan’s security. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also told Parliament that several diplomatic attempts to persuade the Taliban to act against the TTP had failed. “We will not tolerate terrorism from across the border any longer,” he warned.