Afghanistan Releases 3 Pakistani Soldiers Captured During October Border Clashes

Last Updated:February 17, 2026, 22:49 IST

Three Pakistani soldiers captured during October 2025 border clashes were released by the Taliban to a Saudi Arabian delegation amid ongoing tensions over TTP presence.

Three Pakistani soldiers, who were captured during border clashes over four months ago, have been released, the Taliban government spokesperson said on Tuesday.

“Three Pakistani soldiers who had been captured on October 12, 2025, during clashes with the Pakistani side, were released and handed over to the respected delegation that came from the brotherly country of Saudi Arabia," Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid posted on X.

He, however, did not detail how many Pakistani soldiers had been captured by Afghan forces.

Also Read: Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Clashes: What Triggered The Fighting And Could It Escalate?

The confrontation began on the night of October 11, along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border, with heavy exchanges of fire reported in multiple districts of Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The key areas affected included Chitral, Bajaur, Mohmand, Angoor Adda, and Kurram.

AFP quoted Mujahid saying at the time that the Afghan forces had seized multiple Pakistani military posts but did not confirm whether Pakistani security personnel had been captured.

Additional firing was reported near Baramcha and Bahram Chah in Balochistan, while Pakistan retaliated with heavy artillery near Tirah and across the border in Nangarhar province, as per AP.

On the Afghan side, TOLO news reported that the Taliban Ministry of Defence deployed tanks and heavy weapons in Kunar province, raising the risk of a broader military escalation.

The border crossing between them were shut during the violence and remain largely closed.

The violence was sparked by alleged Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghan territory. The Taliban government has described its response as retaliation. But at the heart of the confrontation lies the long-festering issue of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) presence inside Afghanistan and Islamabad’s growing frustration with Kabul’s refusal to act against the group.

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