Afghan Taliban Shames Pakistan Army After Border Fight, Pants Display Goes Viral

After days of heavy violence along the border, Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to a temporary ceasefire, offering a brief pause to the intensifying conflict between the two neighbouring nations. However, this fragile truce comes at a moment of deep embarrassment for Islamabad, as videos from Afghanistan show Taliban fighters celebrating what they claim to be a “victory” over Pakistani troops.

A Temporary Calm After Intense Border Clashes

The ceasefire, which was announced on Wednesday evening, came after a full day of fierce cross-border fighting. “During this period, both sides will sincerely strive to find a positive solution to this complex but resolvable issue through constructive dialogue,” the Pakistani ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement.

Pakistan asserted that the truce came at Kabul’s request, but the Taliban-led Afghan government claimed otherwise, stating that the ceasefire was actually due to “the insistence of the Pakistani side.” The contradictory statements highlight the ongoing mistrust and lack of coordination between the two governments, even as both face mounting domestic and international pressure to de-escalate.

Taliban Fighters Celebrate the Truce as a Victory

Soon after the ceasefire announcement, videos began circulating on social media showing Afghan fighters and locals celebrating. Some videos depicted Taliban troops parading captured Pakistani tanks and other military equipment near the border. In one viral clip, a man can be heard saying, “They return from the war, bringing a Pakistani tank with them, all dusty and tired. God willing, they all return to Kandahar.”

But perhaps the most humiliating visuals for Islamabad were those showing Taliban fighters holding up trousers and rifles allegedly left behind by Pakistani soldiers. BBC journalist Daud Junbish shared photographs of the items displayed in Afghanistan’s Nangrahar province, writing, “Empty trousers, recovered from abandoned military posts of the Pakistani army near the Durand Line, are displayed in eastern Nangrahar province, Afghanistan.”

Ground Situation: Conflicting Claims of Losses

The border violence that preceded the ceasefire erupted after Pakistani airstrikes reportedly targeted areas in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province, particularly the town of Spin Boldak. Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s chief spokesperson, said the Pakistani attacks killed 12 civilians and injured more than 100 others.

In response, the Taliban claimed to have launched a counteroffensive, killing “a large number of Pakistani soldiers,” capturing their posts, and seizing tanks and weapons. “Most of their military facilities were destroyed,” the group claimed.

However, Pakistan rejected these assertions, alleging instead that Afghan forces had initiated the hostilities. Islamabad stated that its forces had killed about 20 Taliban fighters in defensive operations near Spin Boldak.

Eyewitness Accounts and Local Reactions

Several Afghan locals expressed support for their security forces following the clashes. Ziaullah, a resident of Badakhshan, told Tolo News, “We appreciate our military forces who stood against the Pakistani occupiers.” Another resident, Mohammad Zaman from Baghlan, said, “We stand with our security forces both materially and spiritually, and we will defend the territorial integrity of our country under any circumstances.”

While these statements underscore rising nationalism in Afghanistan, the authenticity of several viral videos showing alleged Pakistani military losses could not be independently verified.

The Broader Context of Pakistan-Afghanistan Tensions

Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have sharply deteriorated in recent years, largely due to Islamabad’s accusations that the Afghan Taliban are sheltering members of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Pakistan claims the TTP is responsible for multiple deadly attacks within its borders. Kabul, however, has consistently denied these allegations, insisting that it does not allow its territory to be used against any country.

The latest clashes have drawn comparisons with earlier violent exchanges that took place even as Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi visited India, highlighting the complex regional dynamics at play.

Regional and International Response

The recent violence and temporary truce have prompted diplomatic responses from several regional powers. Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry issued an appeal for calm, urging both nations to “avoid tensions and engage in dialogue for stability.” Similarly, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi emphasised that peace between Pakistan and Afghanistan is vital for the stability of the entire region.

Meanwhile, countries like Qatar and China are also believed to be monitoring the situation closely, recognising that prolonged instability between the two neighbours could threaten wider regional security and trade interests.

A Fragile Truce with Uncertain Future

Despite the ceasefire, analysts warn that the situation remains tense and that peace could quickly unravel if either side resumes hostilities. The images of Taliban fighters displaying captured Pakistani equipment and clothing have dealt a symbolic blow to Pakistan’s military image, potentially complicating future negotiations.

As both nations navigate this uneasy truce, questions remain about how long the calm will last and whether diplomatic dialogue can finally bridge decades of mistrust, border disputes, and proxy conflicts.