Five Pakistani Soldiers, 25 Militants Killed Amid Border Clashes and Truce Talks with Afghanistan

Five Pakistani Soldiers, 25 Militants Killed Amid Border Clashes and Truce Talks with Afghanistan
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Five Pakistani soldiers and 25 militants from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed in two separate clashes near the Afghan border, Arab News reported. According to the Pakistani military, the engagements occurred in Kurram and North Waziristan, where security forces intercepted large groups of TTP fighters attempting to infiltrate from Afghanistan.
Among the dead militants were four suicide bombers, and troops recovered weapons, ammunition, and explosives.

The military said the infiltration attempts came as delegations from Pakistan and Afghanistan held talks in Istanbul to reinforce a ceasefire following deadly border skirmishes earlier this month. The statement questioned Kabul’s commitment to curbing militant activity originating from Afghan territory.

Islamabad has long accused Afghanistan of sheltering groups such as the TTP and the Baloch Liberation Army, charges Kabul denies. The Istanbul talks reportedly focus on creating a joint border monitoring mechanism, respecting sovereignty, and addressing trade and refugee issues.

Clashes between the two neighbors flared on October 11 after Pakistani airstrikes followed the killing of 12 soldiers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A ceasefire was reached in Doha on October 19, but tensions remain high as both sides seek a lasting truce.