Saturday, March 29, 2025
Tensions Ease Slightly: Five Pakistani Soldiers and 25 Militants Killed on Afghan Border
Despite the second round of peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan currently underway in Istanbul, border tensions remain high. On Sunday, the Pakistani military confirmed the deaths of five of its soldiers during a clash along the Durand Line, while claiming to have killed 25 militants in the operation.
Attempted Infiltration:
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), militants tried to infiltrate from Afghanistan into Pakistan’s Kurram and North Waziristan districts. The Pakistani forces said they responded “decisively,” preventing the infiltration attempt and eliminating the attackers.
Accusations Against the Taliban:
The Pakistani military accused the Taliban-led Afghan government of failing to curb terrorism originating from its soil. “Cross-border attacks clearly indicate that the Taliban administration is not serious about countering terrorism and has failed to fulfill its commitments not to allow Afghan territory to be used for such acts,” the statement read.
Ceasefire Still Fragile:
Although a ceasefire was reached earlier this month through Qatari mediation, tensions between the two neighbors have persisted. Both sides have traded accusations over harboring militants and cross-border violence.
Pakistan’s Warning:
On Saturday, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif warned that if Afghanistan failed to reach an agreement during the Istanbul talks, Pakistan was “ready for open conflict.” The statement sparked concern among regional observers who fear a renewed military escalation.
Taliban’s Response:
The Taliban government in Kabul has denied providing safe haven to any militant organization. It condemned Pakistan’s recent airstrikes inside Afghan territory, calling them a violation of its sovereignty. Earlier this week, one such airstrike reportedly killed several Afghan civilians, including three local cricketers — a move that drew international criticism against Islamabad.
During the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the ongoing Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions. Calling Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir “great people,” Trump expressed confidence that the dispute would be resolved soon.
“I know both of them — the field marshal and the prime minister — they’re good people,” Trump said. “We’ll get this done very soon. The process has already begun.”
While diplomatic talks continue in Istanbul, the latest cross-border clash highlights how fragile the peace remains. Pakistan’s accusations, Taliban’s denials, and Washington’s growing involvement indicate that the path to stability along the Afghan-Pakistani frontier is far from over.
