Pakistan Army Kills 25 Afghan-Backed Resistance Fighters in Cross-Border Attacks Amid Peace Talks
Image: Al-Jazeera Net

Pakistan Army Kills 25 Afghan-Backed Resistance Fighters in Cross-Border Attacks Amid Peace Talks

26 October, 2025.Pakistan.24 sources

Key Takeaways

  • Pakistan Army killed 25 militants during two infiltration attempts from Afghanistan.
  • Five Pakistani soldiers died in intense cross-border clashes in Kurram and North Waziristan.
  • Clashes occurred amid ongoing peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Turkiye.

Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Clashes

Pakistan’s military reports it thwarted two overnight infiltration attempts along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border in North Waziristan and Kurram on Oct. 24–25.

The article covers two main topics: 1

Arab News PKArab News PK

The clashes resulted in the deaths of 25 militants, including four suicide bombers.

Image from Arab News PK
Arab News PKArab News PK

Five Pakistani soldiers were killed during the confrontations.

The ISPR identified the attackers as “Fitna al-Khawarij” and stated they tried to cross from Afghan territory.

These events occurred as diplomatic efforts continued in Türkiye following a Doha-brokered truce.

Media coverage varies on the attribution and diplomatic context.

Some outlets support Pakistan’s claim that militants came from Afghanistan during the Istanbul talks.

Other sources emphasize Kabul’s denial and its assertions of sovereignty.

Details of Security Operations

Operational details differ slightly by outlet but align on key points.

The twin engagements occurred in Spinwam (North Waziristan) and Ghaki (Kurram), where security forces recovered a large cache of weapons and explosives.

Image from Minute Mirror
Minute MirrorMinute Mirror

ISPR and multiple Pakistani outlets say the militants included four suicide bombers and belonged to the “Fitna al-Khawarij” cohort.

Five Pakistani soldiers were killed, with several sources naming the fallen.

Reporting also notes these actions are framed under Pakistan’s counterterrorism drive Azm-e-Istehkam.

Cross-Border Tensions and Talks

The confrontations unfolded as Islamabad and Kabul held talks in Istanbul to stabilize a fragile ceasefire.

The text provided does not contain any news content to summarize

Geo TVGeo TV

Pakistani officials describe the incidents as part of a pattern of cross-border militancy and urge Kabul to honor the Doha Agreement.

Afghan authorities deny harboring militants and accuse Pakistan of violating their sovereignty.

Some reports indicate that Pakistan has extended border closures amid the tensions.

The current situation is described as the worst since 2021, with warnings of escalation if the talks fail.

Disputes Over Attack Attribution

Attribution and sovereignty claims diverge across outlets.

Several Pakistani reports characterize the attackers as "Indian-backed" or "foreign-sponsored."

Image from Dunya News
Dunya NewsDunya News

Other coverage avoids this attribution or focuses instead on Afghanistan’s role and denials.

Kabul denies harboring militants and calls Pakistan’s actions violations of Afghan sovereignty.

This stance contrasts with Islamabad’s insistence that Kabul must stop such groups from using its soil and uphold the Doha commitments.

Pakistan's Political and Security Response

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari praised the security forces and vowed to persist with counterterrorism under Azm-e-Istehkam.

Image from Daily Pakistan
Daily PakistanDaily Pakistan

Local outlets stress deterrence and border control.

Broader regional coverage ties the clashes to the Istanbul process and the Doha truce.

Some West Asian coverage also notes the talks amid other national developments, reflecting differing editorial priorities.

More on Pakistan