Five Pakistani soldiers were killed in clashes near the Afghanistan border, the Islamabad military said Sunday, as delegations from both countries met in Istanbul to ease tensions following the deadliest fighting in years.

According to the Pakistani military’s media wing, 25 militants were killed after they attempted to cross over from Afghanistan on Friday and Saturday in the rugged Kurram and North Waziristan districts along Pakistan’s northwestern frontier. Islamabad said the infiltrations cast doubt on Afghanistan’s commitment to addressing terrorism emanating from its territory.

In Afghanistan, the Taliban government’s spokesperson and defence ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Taliban denies sheltering militants and has condemned Pakistan’s operatio

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