Border Clashes Kill 5 Soldiers, 25 Militants

Five Pakistani soldiers and 25 militants were killed in clashes after militants tried to infiltrate from Afghanistan into Kurram and North Waziristan, the military said. Pakistan identified the attackers as the group it calls Fitna al Khwarij and accused the Afghan interim government of failing to curb militants and suggesting foreign backing. Pakistani officials said the violence also killed civilians and was the worst border violence since the Taliban's 2021 takeover; it occurred as Afghan and Pakistani delegations met in Istanbul to build on a Doha-brokered ceasefire. The Taliban denied harboring militants and said Pakistan's operations violated Afghan sovereignty. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned a breakdown in the talks could lead to "open war." Pakistani forces said operations were continuing to eliminate remaining militants and strengthen border security.