Web Desk; Security forces successfully repelled an attack by the Afghan Taliban along the Balochistan border early Wednesday, killing between 15 and 20 militants, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated.
According to the ISPR, Afghan Taliban fighters launched “cowardly attacks” at four locations in the Spin Boldak area during the early hours of the morning. “The attack was effectively repulsed by Pakistani forces,” the statement said, adding that several attackers were also injured.
The military’s media wing noted that the assault was carried out through divided villages along the border “with no regard for the civilian population” and that the Afghan Taliban destroyed the Pak-Afghan Friendship Gate on their side, revealing their “mindset towards mutual trade and tribal rights.”
The ISPR emphasised that the incident in Balochistan was isolated and followed similar attacks in Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on the night of October 14–15. In those clashes, Pakistani troops destroyed eight Afghan posts, including six tanks, killing an estimated 25 to 30 Afghan Taliban and TTP (Fitna-al-Khwarij) fighters.
Rejecting Afghan claims, the ISPR said allegations that Pakistan initiated the attack were “outrageous and blatant lies.” It added that propaganda by the Taliban regime could be disproven through basic fact checks, reiterating that the armed forces remain fully prepared to defend the country’s sovereignty.
Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid, however, alleged that Afghan forces were “forced to retaliate” after Pakistani attacks in Spin Boldak, claiming civilian casualties and damage on the Pakistani side.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised security forces for their strong response to Afghan Taliban aggression in Kurram, vowing to defend Pakistan’s national integrity “at all costs.” He condemned the use of Afghan soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan.
Wednesday’s clashes marked the third major confrontation between Pakistan and Afghanistan within a week. Earlier, Afghan Taliban attacks in Kurram led to the martyrdom of 23 Pakistani troops. Pakistani forces’ retaliatory strikes reportedly killed more than 200 Taliban and affiliated militants.
Tensions between Islamabad and Kabul have intensified, with Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stating earlier this week that relations between the two capitals are effectively “non-existent” and the situation remains “hostile.”
