Pakistan-Afghanistan on the brink again: Dozens killed in fresh clashes, Islamabad dials Qatar, Saudi | Top updates

Pakistan-Afghanistan clashes

Fresh exchanges of fire between Pakistani forces and Afghan Taliban fighters have killed dozens along the volatile Pakistan-Afghanistan border, intensifying hostilities between the two neighbors.

Clashes erupted overnight on Tuesday after a brief lull, with both sides blaming the other for starting the latest round of violence. Pakistan’s military claimed it repelled multiple Taliban attacks, killing more than 40 militants during separate border incidents.

While Afghan officials reported 15 civilian deaths and dozens injured, the Pakistan military said six paramilitary soldiers were killed in Orakzai district, with additional casualties on both sides.

The Afghan Taliban launched assaults at four locations in the Spin Boldak area of Pakistan’s Balochistan province, which were “effectively repulsed” by Pakistani forces, the army said.

“While repulsing the attack, 15–20 Afghan Taliban have been killed and many injured,” the military added, noting that the situation remained tense with “reports of further build up in staging points of Fitna Al Khwarij and Afghan Taliban.”

Pakistan has urgently requested Qatar and Saudi Arabia to mediate as clashes along the border escalate. Pakistani officials appealed, saying, "For God's Sake, stop Afghans from fighting." The request comes shortly after Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement pledging that any attack on one country would be treated as an attack on both.

Here are the top 10 developments: 

• The Afghan Taliban attacked four locations in Balochistan province, which were repelled by Pakistani forces.
• Pakistan reported over 40 Taliban fighters killed, while Afghan officials said 15 civilians were killed, and dozens injured in the clashes. Six Pakistani paramilitary soldiers were also killed in Orakzai.
• The Pakistan military said the attacks were coordinated through divided border villages, with Taliban showing “no regard for the civilian population.”
• Afghan Taliban destroyed the Pak-Afghan Friendship Gate on their side, Pakistan said, reflecting disregard for trade and tribal easement rights.
• Overnight attacks were also reported in Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, targeting Pakistani border posts.
• The clashes followed Pakistan targeting Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) camps in Kabul last week, which Islamabad claims are used to plan attacks inside Pakistan.
• Pakistan has requested Qatar and Saudi Arabia to mediate, urging, “For God's Sake, stop Afghans from fighting.”
• Most crossings have remained closed for over a week, halting goods supply to Afghanistan and affecting local trade.
• Pakistan’s defense minister, ISI chief, and two military officials were denied visas three times by Kabul, prompting Islamabad to suspend all official ties.
• The clashes coincide with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to India and New Delhi’s plans to re-establish its embassy in Kabul, heightening Pakistan’s security concerns.