Pakistan’s military announced it killed more than 200 Afghan fighters, while Afghanistan’s Taliban government claimed it eliminated 58 Pakistani soldiers in recent cross‑border clashes. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said 30 Pakistani troops were wounded, many weapons were captured, and nine Taliban fighters died with a dozen injured.

Pakistan countered, reporting 23 of its soldiers killed and the closure of the frontier, adding it seized 19 Afghan posts and destroyed several Taliban camps. The violence followed explosions in Kabul and Paktika that the Taliban blamed on Pakistan, sparking the sharpest escalation in months. Regional powers—including Iran, Qatar and Saudi Arabia—have urged restraint.

Analysts warn the flare‑up could deepen long‑standing animosities, especially as Pakistan battles the Tehreek‑e‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP) insurgency and accuses Afghanistan of harboring militants.