Violent clashes erupted overnight along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border, with both sides trading fierce fire and heavy casualties. Afghanistan’s Taliban government claims its forces killed 58 Pakistani soldiers and seized 25 Pakistani army posts in retaliatory operations.  Pakistan, on its part, reports 23 troops dead and asserts that more than 200 Taliban fighters were killed, denying Afghan claims of mass gains.

To contain the escalation, Pakistan shut down major border crossings including Torkham and Chaman, along with smaller points like Kharlachi, Angoor Adda, and Ghulam Khan.  Diplomatic interventions by Qatar and Saudi Arabia helped bring the operations to a halt around midnight.

In a press address, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi accused “certain sections” in Pakistan of undermining peace and reaffirmed Kabul’s resolve to safeguard territorial integrity.  Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attacks as “unprovoked,” pledging stern retaliation.