Pakistan–Afghanistan Border Erupts in Heavy Fighting; Tanks Destroyed on Both Sides
Kabul/Islamabad (The Uttam Hindu): Tensions along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border erupted once again on Tuesday night after a brief lull, leading to a fierce exchange of fire and armored warfare. The latest confrontation took place in Pakistan’s Kurram district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, involving heavy artillery, drone strikes, and tank battles between Pakistani forces and the Afghan Taliban.
According to Pakistan’s state broadcaster PTV, the Afghan Taliban and a splinter group named Fitna al-Khawarij allegedly initiated unprovoked firing, prompting a massive retaliation by the Pakistani military. Both sides have claimed to have captured each other’s border outposts. Reports suggest that multiple tanks were destroyed in the fighting.
The renewed conflict comes just days after Saudi Arabia and Qatar helped broker a temporary ceasefire between the two nations. However, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif had warned earlier this week that the border situation remained volatile and could escalate anytime a prediction that proved true within hours.
Pakistani defense sources reported that several Taliban outposts were heavily damaged, with visible plumes of fire and smoke rising from the area. They also claimed that a Taliban tank was destroyed, forcing the fighters to retreat. The Pakistani Army has since been placed on high alert, securing every inch of the border region.
In contrast, Afghan-affiliated social media handles have circulated videos showing Taliban drones dropping explosives on a Pakistani military base in the frontier zone. Another video shared by War Globe News purportedly showed Taliban fighters attacking Pakistani positions.
The Afghanistan Defense handle claimed that Afghan troops targeted locations inside Pakistan allegedly being used to launch operations against Afghanistan. Some reports from Afghan sources alleged that seven Pakistani soldiers were killed during the exchange.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s government has formally demanded that Pakistan hand over the top leaders of the ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K) network including Shahab al-Muhajir, Abdul Hakim Tauhidi, Sultan Aziz, and Salahuddin Rajab who, according to Kabul, are hiding in Pakistan and orchestrating attacks against Afghanistan.
In a parallel development, two major Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) factions have announced a unified front against Pakistan. One faction is led by Mufti Abdur Rehman of Kurram district, while the other is commanded by Sher Khan from the Tirah Valley in Khyber. Both have pledged allegiance to TTP chief Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud, signaling a potential escalation of militant activity along the frontier.