Kabul and Islamabad are locked in escalating tensions following Pakistani airstrikes last week, with Afghanistan now reporting it has launched retaliatory attacks against Pakistani military positions. The clashes, concentrated along the disputed Durand Line, represent a significant deterioration in relations between the two neighboring countries, raising concerns about regional stability.
The recent escalation began on Sunday when Pakistan’s military conducted strikes within Afghanistan, targeting what they claimed were militant camps and hideouts. These strikes, according to Pakistani officials, were in response to a series of attacks within Pakistan, including a deadly suicide bombing in Islamabad. Afghanistan condemned the Pakistani strikes, alleging civilian casualties, including women and children. Now, Afghanistan is responding with offensive operations of its own.
Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid announced the launch of “large-scale offensive operations” against Pakistani military positions and installations along the Durand Line, a 2,611km (1,622-mile) border that Afghanistan does not formally recognize. Mujahid’s statement, posted on X, accused Pakistani military circles of “repeated provocations and violations.”
An Afghan military source told Al Jazeera that 10 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 13 border outposts were captured during the clashes. However, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting refuted these claims, stating on X that Pakistani troops had delivered an “immediate and effective response” to Taliban fire in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, and that no posts were captured or damaged. Pakistani security sources also asserted that their forces had “inflicted heavy losses” on the Afghan side, with reports of Afghan soldiers fleeing from targeted locations.
Escalating Border Conflict
The fighting is concentrated in several sectors of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, including Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram, and Bajaur. The Pakistani Ministry of Information and Broadcasting claimed “Taliban regime forces are being delivered punishment” in these areas, reporting the destruction of both posts and equipment. These claims have not been independently verified.
The current conflict builds on a history of strained relations. Land border crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been largely shut since deadly fighting in October 2025, which resulted in over 70 deaths on both sides, according to reports from the Independent. Prior to that, a ceasefire had been brokered after those intense clashes.
Underlying Tensions and Accusations
Islamabad has repeatedly accused Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities of failing to curb armed groups operating from Afghan soil, groups that Pakistan alleges are responsible for attacks within its borders. The Taliban government consistently denies these accusations. The Pakistani military’s strikes on Sunday targeted both the Pakistan Taliban (TTP) and an affiliate of ISIL (ISIS) in Khorasan Province, known as ISKP, which claimed responsibility for a suicide attack in Islamabad earlier this month.
The Durand Line itself remains a central point of contention. Afghanistan has never formally recognized the border, which was drawn by the British in the 19th century, viewing it as a divisive line, as reported by MSN.
What Comes Next
The situation remains highly volatile, with both sides signaling a willingness to respond to further provocations. The potential for further escalation is significant, and the closure of border crossings continues to disrupt trade and humanitarian efforts. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, urging both Pakistan and Afghanistan to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue to de-escalate tensions. Further developments are expected in the coming days as both sides assess the impact of the recent clashes and formulate their next steps.
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