5 Pak soldiers killed as clashes resume on Afghan border amid ‘open war’ threat to peace talks | World News
Clashes have erupted along the Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier, resulting in the deaths of five Pakistani soldiers and approximately 25 militants, according to Pakistan’s military. The fighting took place in the Kurram and North Waziristan districts, where the military says militants attempted to infiltrate from Afghanistan on Friday and Saturday. The outbreak of violence comes as both nations’ delegations met in Istanbul to formalise measures agreed during Doha talks and de-escalate tensions. Pakistan’s defence minister warned that failure to reach a settlement could spark “open war”. The Afghan Taliban government, meanwhile, reports that Pakistan’s strikes violate its sovereignty and denies giving shelter to militants. These developments mark the worst border confrontation since the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in 2021. The renewed hostilities threaten to derail fragile peace efforts and raise serious doubts about Afghanistan’s willingness or capacity to rein in cross-border militancy.
The Key points
- Five Pakistani soldiers killed during border clashes with militants along Afghanistan’s frontier.
- Around 25 militants were reportedly killed in the confrontation.
- The incidents occurred in the Kurram and North Waziristan areas of Pakistan.
- Pakistani military claims militant infiltrations originated from Afghanistan.
- Pakistan questions Afghanistan’s intent and ability to act against terrorism emanating from its soil.
- A delegation from Pakistan and Afghanistan met in Istanbul to develop mechanisms from Doha talks.
- Pakistan’s defence minister warned of “open war” if no agreement is reached.
- The Afghan Taliban government rejects Pakistan’s accusations and says operations violate Afghan sovereignty.
- This violence is described as the worst border flare-up since Kabul’s fall in 2021.
- The renewed clashes pose a major threat to ongoing peace negotiations between the two countries.
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