Kabul: Pakistan closed all border crossings with Afghanistan after a series of deadly overnight clashes that claimed dozens of lives on both sides.

According to France24.com, the confrontations erupted after Afghan Taliban forces attacked Pakistani troops along the shared border late Saturday night, citing retaliation for alleged air strikes conducted by the Pakistani military on Kabul earlier in the week.

The Pakistani government has not officially confirmed responsibility for these air strikes but maintains its right to self-defense against mounting militancy, which it attributes to planning from Afghan territory. The exact number of casualties from the recent skirmishes remains unverified.

Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi reported that the situation is now under control, crediting diplomatic interventions from nations like Qatar and Saudi Arabia for the cessation of hostilities. He emphasized that the recent operation had met its objectives.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a statement condemning the alleged provocations by Afghanistan, asserting that Pakistan would robustly defend itself against any threats. He accused the Afghan Taliban of allowing their territory to be used by terrorist groups targeting Pakistan.

The clashes come amidst a backdrop of increasing militancy in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region since the Taliban's resurgence in Afghanistan. Most attacks in the region have been attributed to the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), with 2023 being one of the deadliest years in over a decade.

Wahid Faqiri, an Afghan international relations expert, suggests that the warming relations between Afghanistan and countries like India have agitated Pakistan, potentially leading to increased aggression. Meanwhile, former Pakistani diplomat Maleeha Lodhi emphasized the need for a diplomatic resolution to the escalating tensions.

The United Nations has reported that the TTP, although distinct from the Afghan Taliban, receives considerable logistical and operational support from Afghanistan. The Pakistani government has expressed frustration over failed attempts to persuade the Afghan Taliban to sever ties with the TTP.

With more than 500 fatalities, including significant losses among troops and police, the violence underscores the deteriorating relations between the neighboring countries, indicating an urgent need for diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation.