25 militants killed in Pakistan border clashes amid peace talks with Afghan Taliban

At least 25 militants were killed as Pakistani security forces thwarted infiltration attempts from Afghanistan over the past two days, the military said on Sunday.

The clashes occurred even as delegations from Pakistan and Afghanistan held talks in Turkey to discuss border security and counterterrorism, raising questions about Kabul’s intentions in tackling militant groups operating from its soil.

According to a statement from the military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), two large groups of militants – described as khawarij, a term Pakistan uses for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) – attempted to cross into Pakistan through the border areas of Ghaki in Kurram district and Spinwam in North Waziristan district on October 24–25.

“Own troops effectively engaged these groups of khawarij,” the statement said. “As a result of precise and skillful engagements, fifteen khawarij, including four suicide bombers belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al Khawarij, were sent to hell in Spinwam, North Waziristan District. Another ten infiltrating khawarij were killed in Ghaki, Kurram District.”

The ISPR said a large quantity of weapons, ammunition, and explosives was recovered from the slain militants.

Five Pakistani soldiers were killed in the intense exchange of fire. They were identified as Havildar Manzoor Hussain, 35, from Ghizar; Sepoy Nauman Ilyas Kiyani, 23, from Poonch; Sepoy Muhammad Adil, 24, from Kasur; Sepoy Shah Jehan, 25, from Vehari; and Sepoy Ali Asghar, 25, from Pakpattan.

“These brave sons of soil fought gallantly and paid the ultimate sacrifice,” the statement added, praising their role in defending Pakistan’s borders.

The army said the infiltration attempts came as peace talks were underway between Pakistani and Afghan delegations in Istanbul, “casting doubts on the intentions of the Interim Afghan Government regarding the issue of terrorism emanating from its soil.”

Pakistan has repeatedly urged Kabul to strengthen border management and honor its commitments under the Doha Agreement, which calls on Afghanistan not to allow its territory to be used for terrorism against other countries.

The ISPR said security forces had launched a sanitization operation in the area to eliminate any remaining militants, adding that Pakistan’s counterterrorism campaign “Azm-e-Istehkam,” approved by the country’s Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, would continue at full pace.

Earlier, the second round of Pakistan-Afghanistan talks concluded in Istanbul on Saturday after nine hours of intensive discussions. Diplomatic sources said the talks were “constructive and forward-looking,” covering issues such as border security, counterterrorism, and the safe return of refugees.

The dialogue followed a first round of peace talks facilitated by Qatar and Turkey in Doha on October 18–19.

The latest meeting came days after deadly cross-border clashes between Pakistani and Afghan forces, which disrupted trade routes and prompted Pakistani airstrikes on militant hideouts inside Afghanistan.