The Taliban launched a coordinated multi-front offensive targeting Pakistan’s Frontier Corps posts and infrastructure along the Durand Line, in what sources describe as a strategic message to Islamabad.
CNN-News18 accessed footage from the Dangam and Birkot sectors, showing multiple artillery barrages pounding Pakistani positions and the Taliban advancing toward the frontier aboard American military vehicles left behind in 2021, now flying the Islamic Emirate’s flag. Heavy shelling and drone-supported strikes are visible across Kunar and Nangarhar provinces, marking a major military escalation unseen since 2021.
Coordinated Attacks Across Five Provinces
According to top Taliban sources, the Afghan Taliban launched simultaneous retaliatory assaults from Helmand, Paktia, Kunar, Nangarhar and Khost provinces, targeting Pakistani check posts across Kurram, Bajaur and North Waziristan.
Initial engagement reports confirm heavy cross-border fire around Guwi Sar, Spina Shaga and Poline, with Afghan units deploying artillery, mortars and light drones for precision strikes. What began as small-arms skirmishes has now escalated into continuous bombardment, apparently aimed at suppressing Pakistani forward defenses.
The 201st Khalid bin Walid Army Corps of Afghanistan has officially claimed responsibility for the offensive, calling it a retaliatory response to Pakistan’s airstrikes on Kabul, Khost and Nangarhar earlier this week. This marks one of the first open acknowledgements of offensive military action by the Taliban’s formal army against Pakistan since the regime took power in 2021.
Strikes are said to be focused on Frontier Corps posts, logistics hubs and small barracks along the Durand Line, with concentrated fire around Gavi, Poline and Shaga.
Multiple infiltration attempts have been reported as Afghan units attempt to neutralise key FC outposts controlling cross-border routes.
Taliban sources told CNN-News18 that the operation is intended as a direct message to Pakistan that “any violation of Afghan sovereignty will now meet organised military retaliation.”
Casualties Mount As Cross-Border Fire Intensifies
Intense clashes continued between Afghan and Pakistani border forces at the Kurram–Paktia and Bajaur–Kunar sectors. Two Pakistani soldiers have been killed and multiple others injured in the ongoing exchange of fire. In addition, one civilian was killed and another injured after Afghan shelling struck Pakistan’s Kurram district (Teri area).
The 201st Unit of Afghan forces has confirmed that operations against Pakistani border positions remain underway across Kurram–Paktia, Bajaur–Kunar and Helmand–Balochistan sectors, with intense firing exchanges still ongoing.
India Monitors Escalation, Sources Say
Top Indian intelligence sources told CNN-News18 that this represents the first open, military-level confrontation between two Islamic regimes since 2021. Intel sources assess that the clashes are exposing Pakistan’s vulnerabilities along the Durand Line and could trigger proxy escalation if the standoff continues. New Delhi’s security establishment is closely monitoring the situation, with concerns that Pakistan may attempt to destabilise Afghanistan amid Kabul’s growing diplomatic proximity to India.
