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Fragile Pause on Pakistan–Afghanistan Border as Crossings Close and Troops Stay on Alert

Gulf mediation produced a pause, with crossings closed, casualty claims disputed.

Smoke rises from a hillside following overnight clashes between Afghan and Pakistani forces along the border in the Zazai Maidan district of Khost province, Afghanistan, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Saifullah Zahir)
Trucks stand parked at the Torkham border crossing, after Pakistan closed border crossings with Afghanistan, following exchanges of fire between the forces of the two countries, in Torkham, Pakistan, October 12, 2025. REUTERS/Shahid Shinwari
Afghan servicemen guard along the border in the Zazai Maidan district of Khost province, Afghanistan, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, after overnight clashes with Pakistan's forces. (AP Photo/Saifullah Zahir)
Afghan refugees sit next to their belongings loaded onto vehicles as they wait for the reopening of the border crossing point, which closed after Afghan and Pakistani security forces exchanged fire, at a camp in Chaman, Pakistan, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. (AP Photo)

Overview

  • Pakistan reports 23 soldiers killed and claims to have killed more than 200 Taliban and allied fighters, while Afghan officials claim 58 Pakistani troops were killed and acknowledge nine of their own dead.
  • Islamabad says it repelled assaults and launched precision strikes and raids inside Afghanistan that destroyed camps and posts, briefly seizing multiple positions, and it warns of a “befitting” response to any further attacks.
  • Kabul accuses Pakistan of unacknowledged airstrikes in Kabul and Paktika that it says prompted its retaliatory operations; Pakistan has not publicly acknowledged those strikes.
  • All major crossings, including Torkham and Chaman, remain closed to trade, stranding loaded trucks on both sides, though officials briefly allowed some Afghan nationals to return home on foot at Chaman.
  • Qatar and Saudi Arabia helped broker a pause as China urged restraint and protection of its nationals and projects, the UN refugee chief called for de‑escalation, and President Donald Trump said he could help end the conflict.