Pakistan gave refuge to some 46 Afghan soldiers after they were unable to hold their military posts along the border amid escalating violence ahead of the complete withdrawal of international troops from Afghanistan.

The military on Monday said that the soldiers who arrived in Chitral late on Sunday were provided with food, shelter, and necessary medical care.

They would be returned after due process, the statement said.

“The Afghan National Army (ANA) local commander opposite Arundu Sector, Chitral, requested the Pakistan Army for refuge and safe passage for 46 soldiers of the ANA and Border Police including five officers,’’ the military’s media said.

The north-western district of Chitral shares a border with three Afghan provinces including Kunar, Badakhshan, and Nuristan.

The militant Taliban have recently made significant territorial gains in Afghanistan since May when international troops officially started their withdrawal.

They captured Spin Boldak district where one of the country’s main border and trade crossings with Pakistan is located.

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Pakistan has partially reopened the key border crossing known as Chaman after talks with Taliban insurgents who control the other side of the frontier.

The Islamist militants who were driven out of power in 2001 after Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the U.S. have regained control of much of Afghanistan since the withdrawal of international troops began earlier this year.

Earlier this month, Pakistan gave safe passage to 35 Afghan soldiers and handed them over to Afghan authorities.