KABUL, AFGHANISTAN — In the early hours of Saturday, September 7, a border skirmish between Taliban fighters and Pakistani security forces left at least eight Taliban militants dead and 16 others injured.
Among the casualties were two senior Taliban commanders, Khalil and Jan Mohammad, as confirmed by Pakistani security officials to Geo News.
The clash reportedly erupted when Taliban forces attempted to construct a security outpost on the Afghan side of the border, prompting Pakistani troops to open fire to halt the activity.
Sources indicate that at least five Pakistani soldiers were also wounded during the exchange.
The skirmish occurred in the border region between Afghanistan’s southeastern province of Khost and Pakistan’s Kurram district, according to local residents.
Taliban authorities in Kabul have yet to comment on the incident.
Since the Taliban regained power three years ago, tensions between Kabul and Islamabad have escalated, fueled by a surge in cross-border terror attacks and frequent border clashes.
Pakistan has seen a significant increase in deadly attacks by Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) targeting security forces and civilians.
A report by the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) revealed a 65% rise in terrorism-related deaths in Pakistan in 2023, with the TTP being the primary instigator.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Taliban of providing sanctuary to TTP militants inside Afghanistan, a claim that the Taliban continues to deny.
