The BRICS TimesTaliban spokesperson Zabeehullah Mujahid claimed that 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed and over 30 injured in counterstrikes near the Afghan border. He warned Pakistan against “allowing ISIS militants to hide on their soil” and vowed that Afghanistan would answer every attack.
Taliban Claims Killing of 58 Pakistani Soldiers in Retaliation
Taliban spokesperson Zabeehullah Mujahid announced on Sunday that their forces killed at least 58 Pakistani soldiers and left more than 30 wounded in retaliatory attacks near the Durand Line in Behrampur district. He accused Pakistan of providing shelter to ISIS terrorists and warned that Afghanistan would not let any assault go unanswered.
Taliban Warns Pakistan Against Sheltering ISIS
“Pakistan has turned a blind eye to the presence of ISIS on its soil. Afghanistan has the right to defend its air and land borders and will not leave any attack unanswered. Pakistan should expel the important ISIS members who are hiding there from its soil or hand them over to the Islamic Emirate. The ISIS group poses a threat to many countries in the world, including Afghanistan,” said Mujahid.
According to him, the Islamic Emirate has already eliminated those creating unrest within Afghanistan, but they have now built new bases in Pashtunkhwa. “Recruits were brought to these centers for training via Karachi and Islamabad airports. Even attacks in Afghanistan are being planned from these centers, and there is documented evidence of this,” he added.
Retaliatory Strikes Defended by Taliban
Mujahid defended the retaliatory air raids, saying, “A significant amount of weapons also fell into the hands of the Islamic Emirate forces. In these clashes, more than 20 members of the Islamic Emirate forces were also killed or wounded. Afghanistan has the right to defend its air and land borders and will not leave any attack unanswered.”
He reiterated that any violation of Afghan territory or airspace would receive a “harsh response.”
Role of Qatar and Saudi Arabia
According to Mujahid, the airstrikes were stopped following requests from Qatar and Saudi Arabia, who urged both nations to ease tensions.
Explosions and Blame Game
Three explosions rocked Afghanistan on Thursday — two in Kabul and one in Paktika province. The Taliban blamed Pakistan, accusing it of breaching Afghan sovereignty. Pakistan did not confirm its role in the strikes but demanded that Kabul stop harbouring Pakistani Taliban (TTP) militants.
Afghan Forces Hit Back Along Border Provinces
In response, Afghan forces targeted Pakistani military posts in Helmand, Kandahar, Zabul, Paktika, Paktia, Khost, Nangarhar, and Kunar — all provinces bordering Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Response and PM Sharif’s Statement
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attacks and praised the army for its counteraction. “The country’s army not only gave a befitting reply to Afghanistan’s provocations but also destroyed several of their posts, forcing them to retreat. There will be no compromise on Pakistan’s defence, and every provocation will be met with a strong and effective response,” he said.
