Islamabad, October 13, 2025: U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday pledged to address the escalating hostilities between Pakistan and Afghanistan after returning from his Middle East peace mission, declaring that he was “good at solving wars.”
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Israel, Trump claimed the newly brokered Gaza ceasefire marked the eighth war he had helped end, adding that the ongoing Pakistan-Afghanistan confrontation would be next on his agenda.
“This will be my eighth war that I have solved, and I hear there is a war now going on between Pakistan and Afghanistan,” Trump said. “I said, I’ll have to wait till I get back — because I am good at solving wars.”
Trump cited his earlier claims of mediating between India and Pakistan through economic pressure.
“I settled a few of the wars just based on tariffs,” he remarked. “For example, between India and Pakistan, I said if you guys want to fight a war and you have nuclear weapons, I’m going to put big tariffs on you both — 100, 150, 200 per cent — and I had that thing settled in 24 hours.”
He added that his efforts were driven not by ambition but by humanitarian motives.
“I didn’t do this for the Nobel. I did this to save lives,” he said.
Meanwhile, in a dramatic escalation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, Pakistan’s military confirmed killing more than 200 Taliban and affiliated militants in retaliatory strikes following unprovoked Afghan attacks on Pakistani positions.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the assaults — allegedly carried out “in collusion with India” — aimed to destabilize Pakistan’s western frontier.
Pakistani forces launched “timely and decisive” counterstrikes, destroying 21 enemy hideouts and reclaiming key positions across Badini, Kharlachi, Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, and Chitral.
The military said 23 Pakistani soldiers embraced martyrdom while 29 others were injured during intense engagements. ISPR added that “special measures” were taken to safeguard civilians during the operations.
“Pakistan will continue its strikes until all terrorist sanctuaries on Afghan soil are dismantled,” the statement read, urging Kabul to take verifiable action against groups sheltering across the border.
Security officials confirmed the use of tanks, drones, artillery, and air power in the offensive that destroyed major Taliban bases including Manojba Camp Battalion Headquarters, Kharcher Fort, Durrani Camp, and Turkmanzai Top.
In Spin Boldak, Pakistan’s airstrikes reportedly obliterated Asmatullah Karar Camp, one of the Taliban’s key anti-Pakistan hubs. Additional posts — including Barikot Camp near Chitral and Shipola Hala Post in Kurram — were also neutralized.
Unverified footage shared online showed Pakistani troops seizing 19 Afghan border posts previously used for attacks inside Pakistani territory.
The Afghan Taliban’s Defense Ministry initially claimed its forces had retaliated following a Pakistani airstrike in Kabul. However, after suffering heavy losses, it announced a unilateral cessation of hostilities by midnight.
Security sources in Islamabad said several of the destroyed Afghan camps had been harboring ISIS and Khawarij militants, lending weight to Pakistan’s claims of cross-border militant collaboration.
