At least 23 Pakistani soldiers were martyred and over 200 militants killed in intense border clashes triggered by an unprovoked attack from Afghan territory, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement released Sunday.
According to the military’s media wing, the confrontation began overnight between October 11 and 12, when fighters affiliated with the Afghan Taliban and groups described by Pakistan as “India-sponsored Fitna-al-Khawarij” launched coordinated assaults along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
ISPR described the attack as a “cowardly act” aimed at destabilizing the border region and facilitating cross-border terrorism.
“Exercising the right to self-defense, the vigilant Pakistan Armed Forces decisively repelled the assault and inflicted heavy losses on the Taliban and affiliated Khawarij groups,” the statement read.
In response, Pakistan’s military launched targeted strikes against militant infrastructure inside Afghanistan, including Taliban posts, terrorist training camps, and logistical networks. The operations involved precision firepower and ground raids, with all possible precautions taken to prevent civilian casualties, ISPR emphasized.
The retaliatory action led to the destruction of multiple enemy positions, with at least 21 hostile outposts briefly captured and several terror facilities rendered inoperative.
“During these fierce engagements, 23 soldiers of Pakistan laid down their lives while defending the nation, and 29 others sustained injuries,” the statement added.
