Taliban Claims 58 Pakistani Soldiers Killed in Border Clashes

Mujahid stated that Taliban forces had captured 25 Pakistani border posts and seized their equipment during the fighting. He also accused certain factions within the Pakistani military of actively working against the Taliban, claiming that the Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) emerged from Pakistan with the support of the Pakistani military.

The Taliban spokesperson alleged that IS-K leaders are based in Pakistan and that recruitment for the group continues there. He accused IS-K of carrying out terrorist attacks against Taliban leaders and members from Pakistani soil and called on Islamabad to hand over these leaders to the Taliban.

Mujahid further claimed that regional countries are aware of IS-K’s presence in Pakistan and that the group is responsible for attacks on Shia Muslims, Sufis, and Hindus in Afghanistan. He accused specific factions within the Pakistani military of pursuing anti-Afghanistan policies for personal gain, while asserting that the majority of Pakistan’s military and civilian government opposes these actions.

The Taliban spokesperson also emphasized that Afghanistan maintains its relationship with India based on its national interests, stating, “Just as Pakistan maintains relations within its national interests, we do the same.”

Mujahid reported that Pakistani forces have been targeting Taliban positions in Helmand’s Bahramcha district and parts of Paktika with artillery since last night, and sporadic attacks are still ongoing. He denied that Pakistani airstrikes had hit Kabul, claiming that “the planes only released the sound of explosions.”

However, the Taliban’s Ministry of Defense had previously confirmed Pakistani airstrikes on parts of Kabul and Paktika earlier in the week.

Mujahid reiterated that Afghanistan will not tolerate any violation of its airspace and has responded to such violations in the past. He accused specific factions in Pakistan of conspiring against the Taliban, claiming that these factions are dissatisfied with the “improvement in security” and “progress in political, economic, and social sectors” in Afghanistan.

The Taliban spokesperson also stated that they had halted the conflict at Qatar’s request but would not tolerate airspace violations.

Pakistani officials have not yet commented on the Taliban’s claims.