Tensions flared along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border after Afghan Taliban forces opened unprovoked fire in the Khyber District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, prompting an immediate and effective response from Pakistani security forces, officials said on Tuesday.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Prime Minister’s spokesperson for foreign media Mosharraf Zaidi confirmed that firing was initiated from the Afghan side in the Torkham and Tirah sub-sectors.
He stated that Pakistani forces “responded immediately and effectively,” bringing the situation under control and “silencing the Taliban aggression.” The spokesperson warned that any further provocation would be met with a swift and severe response, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to safeguarding its citizens and defending its territorial integrity.
The latest incident follows Pakistan’s announcement that security forces killed more than 80 militants in intelligence-based airstrikes along the Afghan border.
On February 22, security officials said seven camps and hideouts linked to Fitna al-Khawarij, a term used by the state for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), were targeted.
According to security sources, the strikes were conducted in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar Province, Paktika Province, and Khost Province, in response to recent suicide attacks inside Pakistan.
Pakistan’s recent cross-border operations come amid a surge in militant attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, which have claimed the lives of civilians and security personnel.
Islamabad has repeatedly urged Afghan Taliban authorities to act against militant groups allegedly operating from Afghan soil. Pakistani officials maintain that Kabul has failed to address these concerns effectively.
Tensions escalated sharply in October 2025 when fierce border clashes erupted after what Pakistan described as unprovoked attacks on its frontier posts. According to officials, more than 200 Taliban and affiliated militants were killed in the fighting, while 23 Pakistani soldiers lost their lives.
In response, Pakistan carried out what it termed “precision strikes” inside Afghanistan, targeting suspected militant hideouts in Kandahar Province and Kabul.
Despite several rounds of diplomatic engagement, efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire have so far failed.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, Pakistani authorities say cross-border militancy has intensified, particularly in frontier regions along the volatile border.
On February 17, an attack in Bajaur District killed 11 security personnel. Officials stated that 12 militants were killed in the ensuing operation.
Security analysts warn that unless decisive action is taken against cross-border militant sanctuaries, tensions between Islamabad and Kabul may continue to escalate.