At least 12 Pakistani soldiers killed as Afghan forces target Lahore VIDEO / UPDATED

The Afghan Air Force launched an airstrike on the Pakistani city of Lahore on Friday, following an attack by Pakistani forces on Taliban positions near the Afghanistan–Pakistan border, according to Tolo News. Reports indicate that at least 12 Pakistani soldiers were killed in the ensuing clashes.

In response to the escalation, the Taliban have deployed additional forces along the border, concentrating troops along the line of contact. The increased military presence has further heightened tensions between the two countries.

Some local Pakistani media report an increase in military readiness in border areas with Afghanistan.

Taliban representatives stated that their operations will continue “until all border violations cease.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior issued a stern warning on social media, saying, “Afghanistan is playing with fire. The people of Pakistan stand as an iron wall alongside our brave armed forces. Afghanistan will also receive a fitting response, similar to the one given to India, so that it no longer dares to look at Pakistan with ill intentions.”

افغانستان آگ و خون کا جو کھیل کھیل رہا ہے اس کے تانے بانے ہمارے ازلی دشمن سے ملتے ہیں۔
پاکستان کے عوام بہادر مسلح افواج کے ساتھ سیسہ پلائی دیوار کی طرح کھڑے ہیں۔

— Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) October 11, 2025

In response, the Afghan Ministry of Defence announced via its X account that the clashes with Pakistan had ended. The ministry stated that in response to the airstrike in Kabul, Afghan forces carried out night attacks on border posts in various areas of Pakistan, which concluded by midnight. It added that Afghan forces remain prepared to respond defensively to any further action by Pakistani forces.

According to the Pakistani TV channel Geo, clashes between Pakistani army units and Afghan forces along the border have resulted in the deaths of at least several dozen Afghan soldiers.

Reports indicate that the Pakistani armed forces used artillery, tanks, aircraft, and drones in conducting their operations.

23:18

Intense clashes have broken out along the Afghan-Pakistani border, with reports of heavy fighting across multiple provinces, according to Afghan media.

The news portal Tolo News reports that hostilities are taking place along the entire Durand Line, particularly in the Afghan provinces of Kunar, Nangarhar, and Helmand. Taliban forces reportedly launched coordinated attacks on Pakistani border positions from several directions, forcing Pakistani troops to retreat in some areas.

Later in the evening, media sources affiliated with the Taliban claimed that the Afghan Air Force had conducted an airstrike on the Pakistani city of Lahore.

According to Tolo News, at least five Pakistani soldiers have been killed in the clashes so far.

By Vugar Khalilov