Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has made a startling revelation about the country's military losses, disclosing that more than 4,000 soldiers have been killed and over 20,000 injured during the past four years. The senior official directly linked this dramatic surge in casualties to the Taliban's return to power in neighboring Afghanistan.
Massive Casualty Figures Unveiled
During a recent address, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar provided detailed statistics that highlight the severe toll on Pakistan's armed forces. Between 2021 and 2025, approximately 4,000 Pakistani soldiers lost their lives while conducting military operations, with an additional 20,000 personnel sustaining various injuries. These figures represent one of the most significant official acknowledgments of military losses in recent years.
Taliban Takeover Blamed for Escalation
The Pakistani foreign minister explicitly attributed the worsening security situation to the Taliban's resurgence in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of international forces. Dar emphasized that the change in Afghanistan's political landscape has created favorable conditions for militant groups, particularly the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), to intensify their cross-border operations.
"The return of Taliban to power in Afghanistan has directly contributed to the increase in attacks against our security forces," Dar stated, while urgently calling upon the Taliban-led government in Kabul to take immediate and decisive action against militant elements operating from Afghan territory.
Diplomatic Moves and Taliban's Rejection
In a significant diplomatic development, Dar revealed that Pakistan had suspended planned military operations against Afghanistan after Qatar offered to mediate between the two neighboring nations. This decision reflects Islamabad's willingness to pursue diplomatic solutions despite the ongoing security challenges.
However, the Taliban government has firmly rejected Pakistan's allegations. Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi countered by accusing Pakistan of repeatedly violating Afghan sovereignty and making what he described as "unrealistic and illogical" demands. Muttaqi further claimed that these unreasonable positions from Islamabad were primarily responsible for the collapse of peace talks between the two countries.
The exchange of accusations highlights the deteriorating relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan since the Taliban's return to power, with border security emerging as the most contentious issue threatening regional stability in South Asia.
