REUTERS/Fayaz AzizFive Pakistani soldiers and 25 militants have died in clashes near the border with Afghanistan, the military said on Sunday, as delegations from both countries met to try to defuse tensions after the deadliest fighting in years. In Afghanistan, the Taliban government's chief spokesman and the defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reported attacks. Officials from both countries are meeting in Istanbul to prevent a relapse into conflict after clashes between their armies earlier this month - the worst border fighting since the Taliban's 2021 takeover of Kabul. That fighting erupted after Pakistan demanded the Taliban rein in militants it says operate from Afghan sanctuaries, prompting heavy exchanges of fire and Pakistani airstrikes. Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, said on Saturday the truce was holding and he believed Afghanistan wanted peace.

Source: bd News24 October 26, 2025 15:14 UTC