Islamabad, November 30, 2025 — Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, revealed alarming figures today, claiming that since the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban in August 2021, the Pakistani military has suffered heavy casualties. According to Dar, more than 4,000 officers and soldiers have been killed, while over 20,000 have been injured in militant-related violence and cross-border operations.

Dar’s statement marks one of the most explicit acknowledgments yet by a high-ranking Pakistani leader that the security situation has sharply deteriorated over the past four years — a period that corresponds with the Taliban’s return to power in Kabul.

What Dar Said — Claim, Blame, and Warnings

• Casualty figures announced: “Since the government of the Afghan Taliban came to power, our 4,000 officers and soldiers have been killed, and over 20,000 have been injured,” Dar said, linking the rise in militant attacks directly to developments in Afghanistan.
• Targeting militant groups: He placed the blame on militant outfits — particularly Tehrik‑e‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — claiming they operate with impunity from Afghan soil, carrying out frequent cross-border attacks.
• Call to Kabul: Dar urged the Afghan Taliban leadership to take “decisive action” against these militant groups, warning that Pakistan could no longer tolerate the use of Afghan territory as a base for insurgent activity.
• Suspension of military operation: He revealed that a major planned “cleanup operation” into insurgent hideouts in Afghanistan was abandoned after mediation proposals from Doha (Qatar). But, Dar stressed, the pause was temporary; Islamabad’s demand remains firm — Afghan soil must not be used to target Pakistan.

Context: Escalation of Violence & Cross-Border Clashes

The statement comes amidst a backdrop of escalating violence along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border, with repeated clashes between Pakistani forces and militants, complex cross-border attacks, and growing tensions between Kabul and Islamabad.

• Official Pakistani reports say that during a recent border clash in October 2025, 23 soldiers were killed and 29 wounded, while more than 200 Taliban and affiliated terrorists were neutralised in retaliatory action.
• Analysts see these confrontations as part of a broader pattern: since the Taliban regained control in Afghanistan, militants — including TTP — are believed to have regrouped and escalated cross-border operations into Pakistan.
• Islamabad’s repeated demands on Kabul to clamp down on militant sanctuaries have so far gone largely unheeded. According to Dar, during his recent visit to Kabul, the Afghan leadership agreed to some measures — but none sufficient to reverse the deteriorating security situation.

Implications: Regional Tension, Diplomacy, and Security Risks

Dar’s revelations and harsh remarks are likely to further strain already fragile relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Several immediate implications stand out:

• Diplomatic pressure on Kabul: Islamabad is pressing for concrete action against militant groups, demanding that Afghan territory no longer be used as a launchpad for attacks into Pakistan.
• Risk of cross-border military operations: Though Pakistan claims preference for diplomacy, Dar’s warning suggests that if Kabul fails to act, Islamabad may consider resuming military operations.
• Regional instability and humanitarian risks: Ongoing clashes and military engagements — especially in border regions — threaten regional stability. Civilians, refugees, and border populations may face elevated threats.

Security analysts warn that without a coordinated regional approach — involving Afghanistan, Pakistan, and global stakeholders — the cycle of violence may intensify, threatening broader peace in South Asia.