Taliban Claims 58 Pakistani Soldiers Killed in Retaliatory Strike Along Durand Line

October 12, 2025

Kabul: The Taliban regime on Sunday claimed that 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 30 others wounded during a retaliatory operation conducted by Afghan forces along the Durand Line, following Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan territory earlier this week.

Taliban chief spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that 20 Pakistani security outposts were destroyed and several weapons seized during the Saturday night assault.

“Nine Afghan soldiers were also martyred and 16 others wounded, while 20 Pakistani security outposts were destroyed,” Mujahid said, adding that the operation was halted at midnight after Saudi Arabia and Qatar intervened, Afghanistan-based Tolo News reported.

‘ISIS-K Bases Operating in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’

Mujahid alleged that after ISIS-K was dismantled in Afghanistan, the terror group established training centres in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with recruits allegedly arriving via Karachi and Islamabad airports.

“Our findings show that the attacks in Iran and Moscow were orchestrated from these centres,” he claimed, urging Islamabad to hand over key ISIS-K members to Kabul.

Tensions Rise After Pakistan’s Airstrikes

The Taliban spokesperson said Pakistan had sought to send a delegation to Kabul, but the Taliban government rejected the request in retaliation for the October 9 airstrikes in Kabul and Paktika.

He warned that any violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty “will not go unanswered.”

The Taliban-led Ministry of Defence condemned Pakistan’s actions, calling them a “violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty.”

Ministry spokesperson Enayatullah Khwarazmi said, “This is an unprecedented, violent, and hateful act in the history of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Defending our sovereignty is our right.”

Afghan FM Muttaqi Issues Stern Warning

Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, currently visiting India, warned Pakistan against blaming Kabul for its internal challenges.

“We consider Pakistan’s actions a big mistake. Problems cannot be solved through force. History has shown that pressure and violence never succeed in Afghanistan,” Muttaqi said.“Do not test the patience of Afghans; ask the British, Russians, Americans, and NATO how playing with Afghanistan ends,” he cautioned.