The border between Pakistan and Afghanistan has witnessed a sharp military escalation since Saturday evening, following heavy clashes between the two countries’ forces. The Taliban government in Kabul accused Islamabad of carrying out airstrikes on the Afghan capital, triggering an exchange of fire and cross-border mobilisation.
Fierce Border Engagements
Regional media outlets circulated footage showing armed tensions along eastern Afghanistan, where Taliban armoured convoys advanced into Pakistani territory in the Kunar region.
Official sources from both sides confirmed that heavy weaponry was used during the confrontations, which concentrated in the border districts of eastern Afghanistan.
In a statement issued late last night, the Afghan Ministry of Defence said Taliban forces had “engaged in fierce clashes with Pakistani military positions in multiple border areas” in response to what it described as “air raids conducted by Pakistani forces inside Afghan territory.”
The ministry added: “Our forces will not allow any party to violate Afghanistan’s sovereignty.”
The Pakistani army, however, denied carrying out airstrikes on Kabul. It maintained that all ongoing security operations within Pakistan are aimed at “protecting national security from terrorist organisations operating from Afghan soil.”
Islamabad’s Response and Regional Accusations
Army spokesperson Major General Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry accused India of using Afghan territory as a base for hostile operations against Pakistan, and alleged that Afghan elements were participating in activities undermining Pakistan’s internal security.
During a press briefing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Chaudhry stated that Pakistan had “paid a heavy price in the fight against terrorism,” citing over 10,000 security operations conducted in 2025 up to mid-September, resulting in 970 militants killed — including 58 Afghans — while hundreds of Pakistani soldiers and police officers lost their lives.
He added:
“Leniency towards terrorists or those who shelter them is not state policy. Our institutions will continue doing whatever is necessary to protect citizens and safeguard national unity.”
Chaudhry also stressed Islamabad’s coordination with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkey, China, and the United States in counter-terrorism efforts, warning that “the threat from armed groups endangers not only Pakistan, but also regional and global stability.”
He urged the Taliban to prevent Afghan territory from being used for attacks against Pakistan.
Background to the Escalation
This latest confrontation marks yet another round of recurring border tension since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021 following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Although Pakistan has historically been considered one of the Taliban’s primary supporters, relations have deteriorated sharply due to the increasing activities of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — a Pakistani militant faction based in Afghanistan that launches attacks inside Pakistan.
In 2024, Pakistan recorded over 850 attacks attributed to the TTP, leaving hundreds dead. Islamabad responded with repeated airstrikes inside Afghan territory, claiming to target TTP hideouts, while the Taliban accused Pakistan of killing civilians.
In December 2024, at least 46 civilians were killed in Pakistani air raids on camps near Khost and Paktika provinces, according to the Afghan government. The incident led to the closure of border crossings, inflicting millions of dollars in trade losses.
Early 2025 also saw frequent skirmishes in Helmand and Waziristan, with mutual accusations of territorial encroachment.
Other Causes of Dispute
Several longstanding issues continue to fuel the crisis:
- Border demarcation disputes along the Durand Line, where both countries have clashed over military outposts and trade crossings.
- The refugee crisis, as Pakistan has expelled over four million Afghan refugees since late 2023, deepening humanitarian tensions within Afghanistan.
The situation reached a new peak after Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi paid a historic visit to India last Thursday to discuss economic cooperation with New Delhi — a move seen in Islamabad as a potential realignment of Kabul’s regional alliances.
Analysis: A Fragile Balance in South Asia
The unfolding crisis reflects a fragile regional balance in South Asia, where historic alliances are being tested and mutual distrust deepens between neighbours that once shared strategic interests.
Pakistan faces internal pressure from rising militancy and economic strain, while the Taliban seeks international legitimacy yet struggles to maintain internal stability and regional neutrality.
Observers warn that continued border clashes risk triggering a larger confrontation, undermining both countries’ security and worsening the humanitarian situation for civilians along the frontier.
