20 Afghan Taliban killed as Pakistan Army crushes cross-border offensive

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Army foiled multiple cross-border attacks by Afghan Taliban and Khawarij militants in the Spin Boldak area of Chaman, killing 20 assailants, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Wednesday.

According to ISPR, early in the morning, Afghan Taliban launched cowardly attacks at four different locations along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Balochistan’s Spin Boldak region. Pakistani forces effectively repelled the assaults through a prompt and powerful response.

The statement said that during the attacks, Afghan Taliban showed complete disregard for civilian safety and used divided border villages as cover for their operations.

ISPR added that the attackers also destroyed the “Bab-e-Dosti” border gate from their side — an act contrary to bilateral trade norms and long-standing tribal traditions.

The Pakistan Army has said that 15 to 20 Afghan Taliban militants were killed and several others injured in retaliatory fire after cross-border attacks in the Spin Boldak area, while the situation in the region remains tense with reports of further militant movements along the border.

According to the ISPR, intelligence reports suggest that elements of the Afghan Taliban and Fitna al-Khawarij are regrouping in border regions.

ISPR further stated that the incident in Spin Boldak was not an isolated attack. On the night of October 14 and 15, militants also attempted to target Pakistani posts in Kurram Sector, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — an attack that was swiftly and effectively repelled by Pakistani forces.

In the retaliatory strikes, eight Afghan posts and six tanks were destroyed, with an estimated 25 to 30 Afghan Taliban and Fitna al-Khawarij militants reported killed.

The military spokesperson rejected the Taliban’s allegations that Pakistan initiated the assault, terming such claims false and baseless propaganda.

Concluding the statement, ISPR reaffirmed that the Pakistan Army remains fully prepared to deliver a decisive response to any act of aggression, emphasizing its unwavering commitment to defending the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.