Pakistan has confirmed that seven of its citizens, including Frontier Corps (FC) soldiers, returned by Afghanistan on October 18th, 2025, showed signs of torture and decapitation, according to multiple reports citing the Red Crescent and BBC. The bodies were recovered following attacks on isolated posts, with the Taliban refusing to return the soldiers' heads. This development occurred within the reporting window of 11:04 AM UTC to 11:34 AM UTC. The Red Crescent confirmed the severe torture of the FC soldiers' bodies, and one civilian died from a bullet wound, while others succumbed to bomb injuries, the BBC reported. Labour leaders also claimed that additional Pakistani laborers and small businessmen, including six from one family, were killed. The Taliban ministry has also reportedly issued a notification ordering imams across Afghanistan to propagate against Pakistan in their sermons. This news follows Pakistan's outline of non-negotiable demands for talks with Afghanistan, presented earlier on October 18th, 2025, which explicitly included the handover of individuals involved in the beheading of Pakistani soldiers. The situation remains tense amidst ongoing border incidents and previous reports of explosions near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
