Summary Security sources report casualties and destruction of Shipola base camp
RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – Pakistan Army has responded to what security sources described as unprovoked firing by Afghan Taliban forces along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Upper Kurram district, reportedly killing several Taliban personnel and destroying a base camp.
The firing was reported in the Taida sector and surrounding border areas, including Ghozgarhi, on Saturday. According to security sources cited by state media, the exchange of fire occurred as Afghan Taliban forces allegedly attempted to facilitate the crossing of foreign militants into Pakistan.
The Pakistan Army responded with heavy weapons and artillery fire, targeting Afghan Taliban positions in the border region. The reported casualties and damage to military installations come amid continuing tensions between Islamabad and Kabul over cross-border militancy and security threats.
پاک افغان سرحد پر افغان طالبان رجیم کی دہشت گردوں کی معاونت میں بلااشتعال فائرنگ، پاک فوج کا منہ توڑ جواب جاری کرم سیکٹر میں افغان طالبان کی بلااشتعال فائرنگ کا پاک فوج کی جانب سے بھاری ہتھیاروں سے مؤثر جواب پاک فوج کی بھرپور جوابی کارروائی میں افغان طالبان کی متعدد پوسٹیں تباہ، طالبان رجیم کے اہلکار پوسٹیں چھوڑ کر فرار پاک فوج سرحدوں کے دفاع اور ملکی سلامتی کے لیے ہر وقت چوکس اور پُرعزم ہے، سیکیورٹی ذرائع
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) October 17, 2026
According to security sources, Afghan Taliban forces opened fire in the Taida sector of Upper Kurram and the Ghozgarhi border area while allegedly attempting to facilitate the infiltration of militants into Pakistan.
The Pakistan Army responded with what sources described as a strong and effective counteraction, using heavy weapons to strike several Afghan Taliban positions. Security sources said several Taliban personnel were reportedly killed during the exchange of fire along the Ghozgarhi border, although an exact casualty figure had not been confirmed.
In Upper Kurram, Pakistani forces used artillery to target the Afghan Taliban’s Topser post and Shipola base camp. The base camp was reportedly completely destroyed during the retaliatory action.
Security sources further said Afghan Taliban personnel abandoned a border post following the Pakistani response. The exchange of fire was still continuing in the area, according to reports carried by state broadcaster PTV News and the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan.
Diplomatic tensions
The latest border confrontation comes amid continued friction between Pakistan and Afghanistan over Islamabad’s allegations that militant groups operate from Afghan territory and carry out attacks inside Pakistan.
On Friday, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said engagement with Afghanistan could not be unconditional, while rejecting suggestions that Islamabad was unwilling to pursue dialogue. Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said Pakistan would welcome sincere efforts by friendly countries to address its security concerns and promote regional peace and stability.
The spokesperson also said he was not aware of any separate, formal Russian mediation initiative under discussion, despite Moscow recently expressing readiness to mediate between the two neighbours.
Tensions escalated further in September, when Pakistan carried out airstrikes against what it described as terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan following major attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The government said the September 21 strikes killed more than 28 militants.
Pakistan also reported shooting down eight drones that entered its airspace near the Torkham border and Kohat. Following the incursions, Islamabad said it conducted precision aerial and drone strikes at 10 locations in Afghanistan. On October 1, Pakistan announced another series of targeted airstrikes against militant hideouts, reporting multiple deaths.
Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq in February 2026 in response to cross-border firing by Afghan Taliban forces. The operation followed renewed hostilities despite a ceasefire agreement reached in October 2025.
The security situation has remained a major concern for Islamabad, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, the country recorded 225 militant attacks in September 2026, up from 199 in August, marking a 13 percent increase and the highest monthly total in 12 years.
