Pakistan Pledges Retaliation After Deadly Afghan Border Clashes Claim Dozens of Soldiers

Nawaz Sharif vows decisive retaliation as Afghan airstrikes kill 58 Pakistani troops, heightening border tensions amid accusations of harboring militants.

ISLAMABAD – In a escalating cross-border confrontation, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has promised a “decisive and forceful” counteraction following a series of airstrikes from Afghanistan that reportedly killed 58 Pakistani military personnel, intensifying long-simmering tensions between the neighboring nations.

The strikes, attributed to Afghan forces, targeted several locations along the volatile Durand Line border in Pakistan’s restive northwest, according to military sources. The attacks unfolded over the past 48 hours, catching Pakistani troops off guard during routine patrols and outpost reinforcements. Eyewitness accounts from the region describe chaotic scenes of explosions and gunfire, with local communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province evacuating amid fears of further incursions.

Sharif, addressing a gathering of political allies in Lahore on Saturday, condemned the assault as an “unprovoked act of aggression” that demands an immediate and robust reply. “We will not tolerate the shedding of our soldiers’ blood on our own soil,” he declared, urging unity across party lines to support the armed forces. “Pakistan’s response will be measured but unyielding, ensuring such violations never recur.” His remarks come at a time when he is positioning himself as a key influencer in national security debates, despite not holding office.

The incident marks one of the deadliest episodes in recent years between the two countries, both grappling with internal insurgencies and economic woes. Over 200 additional soldiers were wounded in the strikes, with hospitals in Peshawar overwhelmed by casualties. The Pakistani military has since bolstered its presence along the frontier, deploying extra artillery units and surveillance drones to deter any repeat offenses.

Afghan officials in Kabul have yet to issue a formal statement, though preliminary reports suggest the operation was aimed at rooting out Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants allegedly using the border as a safe haven. This claim has been vehemently denied by Islamabad, which accuses the Taliban-led government of harboring anti-Pakistani extremists. Diplomatic channels remain open, with emergency talks scheduled for Monday under the auspices of regional mediators, but analysts warn of a potential spiral into broader conflict.

Human rights groups expressed alarm over the civilian toll, estimating at least 15 non-combatants displaced or injured in the crossfire. As the death toll rises, public outrage in Pakistan is mounting, with protests outside government buildings calling for swift justice. The coming days will test the fragile peace along this porous frontier, where historical grievances continue to fuel mistrust.