But Pakistan’s army gave far lower casualty figures, saying 23 troops were killed.
Earlier in the week, Afghan authorities accused Pakistan of bombing the capital Kabul and a market in the country’s east. Pakistan did not claim responsibility for that assault.
The Taliban government’s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said Afghan forces have captured 25 Pakistani army posts, 58 soldiers have been killed, and 30 others have been injured.
He told a press conference in Kabul on Sunday: “The situation on all official borders and de facto lines of Afghanistan is under complete control, and illegal activities have been largely prevented.” There was no immediate confirmation from Pakistan about casualties.
The Taliban government’s defence ministry said earlier its forces had conducted “retaliatory and successful operations” along the border.
It added: “If the opposing side again violates Afghanistan’s territorial integrity, our armed forces are fully prepared to defend the nation’s borders and will deliver a strong response.”
Afghan refugees sit on a truck loaded with their belongings as they wait for the border crossing point to open (AP)
The Torkham border crossing, one of two main trade routes between the two countries, did not open on Sunday at its usual time of 8am. The crossing at Chaman was also closed.
Pakistan accuses Afghan authorities of harbouring members of the banned group Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. Islamabad says the group carries out deadly attacks inside Pakistan, but Kabul denies the charge, saying it does not allow its territory to be used against other countries.
Before the Afghan claim of casualties, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the Saturday night assault and said the country’s army “not only gave a befitting reply to Afghanistan’s provocations, but also destroyed several of their posts, forcing them to retreat”.
Pakistani security officials shared videos purporting to show destroyed Afghan checkpoints, but the footage could not be independently verified.
The Pakistani army said more than 200 “Taliban and affiliated terrorists have been neutralised, while the number of injured is much higher”.
One official in Islamabad claimed Pakistan had taken control of 19 Afghan border posts from where attacks were being launched.
“The Taliban personnel at these posts have either been killed or fled. Fires and visible destruction have been observed at the captured Afghan posts,” the official added.
Qatar’s foreign ministry expressed concern over the escalations and the potential repercussions for the security and stability of the region. It urged both sides to prioritise “dialogue, diplomacy and restraint”.
The two countries share a 1,622-mile border known as the Durand Line, but Afghanistan has never recognised it.