• Reports on PTV claim ‘tank destroyed’; several border posts hit
• Islamabad briefs foreign envoys on issues with Kabul
• Fazl offers to mediate between warring neighbours

KARACHI: Fighting flared up again on Tuesday night between Pakistani forces and the Afghan Taliban in Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to reports aired by state media.

“Afghan Taliban and Fitna al-Khawarij opened unprovoked fire in Kurram. Pakistani Army responded with full force and intensity,” reported state-run PTV News, quoting security sources on X.

Fitna-al-Khawarij is the term used by the state for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The report added that Afghan posts suffered heavy damage and a tank caught fire after being hit, with Taliban fighters fleeing their posts.

In a subsequent post, PTV said: “Another post and tank position of the Afghan Taliban destroyed in Kurram sector.’’

The broadcaster added that a fourth tank position at Shamsadar post was also destroyed.

“There are reports of the killing of an important commander of Fitna al-Khawarij in this important operation of the Pakistan Army.”

While social media was awash with reports of fresh clashes on the border, these could not be independently verified until going to press.

Though troops on both sides remained on high-alert at various sectors along the border, the stiatuion at the Chaman crossing in Balochistan remained calm throughout the day, with the Friendship Gate being opened on “humanitarian grounds” to allow Afghan refugees to cross back into their country.

A security official told Dawn that the border gate was opened for three hours, during which 818 families crossed back.

FO briefs envoys

Earlier in the day, Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch gave a ‘‘comprehensive briefing’’ to resident ambassadors in Islamabad on recent developments along the Pak-Afghan border.

“She underscored Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns and its unwavering resolve to protect its territorial integrity and national security,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.

According to a source privy to the short briefing, the Pakistan side used the opportunity to confirm the 23 casualties on their side, and shared information about more than 200 claimed deaths on the Afghan side. “They said it’s not over, it’s not a ceasefire,” the source said.

Another individual said the message conveyed was that “Pakistan will do whatever it has to protect its soil and people, and while it wants trade and connectivity, security is paramount. It will continue with refugee repatriation and border will remain closed till further notice”.

Fazl offers mediation

Amid the simmering tensions, JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman has offered his services to mediate between the two states to end hostilities.

Maulana Fazl, who had visited Kabul in Jan 2024 to push for an amicable solution on regional and security issues, once again offered to bring about peace using his goodwill with the interim Taliban government.

Speaking to reporters at an event organised by the Muslim World League, the JUI-F chief said the Afghan leaders were keen to resolve issues with Pakistan through mutual understanding and dialogue. He stressed the need for restraint from both sides, saying, “There has been a ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan; now there should also be a ceasefire of rhetoric too.”

According to the JUI-F chief, harsh statements only deepen misunderstandings, and urged both nations to act wisely to maintain peace and stability in the region. The Maulana said that both countries, including their supporters on social media, should make efforts for peace instead of provoking each other.

Besides the Maulana, the US, China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Iran had also expressed concern over the spike in hostilities between the two nations, with Beijing and Washington even offering to mediate.

Commenting on Afghanistan’s internal capacity, Maulana Fazlur Rehman noted that Afghan intelligence and military institutions were still in their formative stages.

“We should assess whether Afghanistan even possesses the institutional strength and capability to meet the expectations being placed upon it,” he said, in an apparent response to the use of Afghan soil by terrorists to launch cross-border attacks.

On the other hand, the JUI-F chief added, Pakistan has a world-class military and urged the state to carefully weigh whether opening a western front would be a prudent strategic move at this time. “Whether it was sensible for the country to open another front while regional and global dynamics remain uncertain,” Maulana Fazl asked.

Saleem Shahid in Quetta, Kalbe Ali in Islamabad and Tahir Khan contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, October 15th, 2025