Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have risen sharply following a series of violent incidents, including alleged Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghan territory and a deadly militant attack in the Pakistani city of Peshawar. The developments mark another chapter in the long-running, complex relationship between the two neighboring countries, one shaped by historical disputes, militant networks, and competing security concerns.
According to statements from Afghanistan’s Taliban administration, Pakistan carried out airstrikes overnight in three eastern Afghan provinces Khost, Kunar, and Paktika. The Taliban claims that the strikes killed 10 civilians, including nine children and one woman, after a home in Khost province was hit. Additional casualties were reported in Kunar and Paktika, where Afghan officials say four civilians were injured.
As of the most recent updates, Pakistan has not issued an official response or confirmation regarding the allegation.
The airstrikes were reported just one day after a deadly militant attack in Pakistan, creating a direct overlap between the events and raising questions about the future trajectory of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations.
The Incident: Taliban Accusation of Airstrikes
The Afghan Taliban’s chief spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, described the reported airstrikes as a “bombing” carried out by Pakistan on civilian homes. The Taliban administration condemned the attack, stating that it violated Afghan sovereignty and endangered the lives of non-combatants.
The provinces hit Khost, Kunar, and Paktika lie along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border and have historically been the site of cross-border militant activity and occasional skirmishes. They are also regions where various militant groups, including factions of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), have been reported to operate.
Pakistan’s military and government have not yet publicly commented on the allegations, leaving the regional and international community waiting for clarification or verification.
The Peshawar Attack: A Preceding Trigger
The alleged airstrikes came shortly after a significant militant attack inside Pakistan. In Peshawar, two suicide bombers and a gunman attacked the headquarters of the Federal Constabulary, killing three officers and injuring at least 11 others.
Although no group immediately claimed responsibility, Pakistani authorities quickly focused their suspicion on the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The TTP has launched numerous attacks on Pakistani security forces in recent years, and its actions have intensified since the Taliban takeover of Kabul in 2021.
Pakistan maintains that the TTP operates from sanctuaries in Afghanistan, an accusation the Afghan Taliban denies.
Understanding the TTP: A Separate but Linked Movement
The TTP, sometimes referred to as the Pakistani Taliban, is a militant umbrella organization that Pakistan and the United Nations classify as a terrorist group. Founded in 2007, the group seeks to overthrow the Pakistani government and impose its interpretation of Islamic law.
Despite a shared ideological background with the Afghan Taliban, the TTP is organizationally distinct. While the Afghan Taliban’s focus has been on governing Afghanistan and resisting foreign forces, the TTP’s focus remains on challenging the Pakistani state.
Pakistan has repeatedly alleged that TTP fighters and commanders moved into Afghanistan following Pakistan’s military operations in the tribal areas. Afghan Taliban officials, however, insist they do not allow foreign militants to operate from their soil and deny Pakistan’s claims of hosting TTP elements.
The Afghan Taliban’s reluctance to act decisively against the TTP is influenced by factors such as tribal ties, historical relationships, and shared ethnic identity, particularly across the Pashtun-majority regions on both sides of the border.
The Durand Line: A Long-Standing Border Dispute
Complicating the security situation is the ongoing dispute over the Durand Line—the 2,670-kilometer border drawn during British colonial rule in 1893. While Pakistan recognizes the Durand Line as the international boundary, no Afghan government, including the present Taliban administration, has ever formally accepted it.
For Afghanistan, the border divides Pashtun tribes and is considered an unresolved national issue. For Pakistan, it is a recognized boundary essential for governing its frontier regions and controlling cross-border movement.
The differing positions have resulted in frequent tensions, including clashes at border checkpoints, disagreements over fencing, and disputes regarding cross-border militant activity.
The lack of a mutually recognized border framework continues to complicate efforts to manage security and diplomacy between the two countries.
A History of Escalation Since 2021
Following the Afghan Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in August 2021, Pakistan observed a sharp increase in TTP attacks. The militant group appeared emboldened, and Pakistan asserted that the TTP benefitted from safe havens inside Afghanistan.
Key events shaping the trajectory of tensions include:
2022: Ceasefire Breakdown
The Afghan Taliban mediated a temporary ceasefire between Pakistan and the TTP. However, the TTP ended the truce, accusing Pakistan of violating the agreement through continued military operations.
The collapse of the ceasefire led to a renewed surge in militant attacks on Pakistani soil.
Early October 2025: Pakistani Strikes and Border Clashes
Pakistan launched strikes it described as targeting TTP positions inside Afghanistan, including areas in Kabul, Khost, and Paktika. The Afghan Taliban responded by attacking Pakistani frontier posts along the Durand Line, escalating the conflict into a series of direct clashes.
Mid-October 2025: Qatar–Türkiye Mediated Ceasefire
Diplomatic intervention by Qatar and Türkiye led to a temporary ceasefire. Both sides agreed to halt hostilities, offering a brief moment of de-escalation.
Post-Ceasefire Talks: Stalled Negotiations
Follow-up talks reportedly held in Istanbul failed to produce a lasting agreement. Pakistan demanded written guarantees that the Afghan Taliban would not allow the TTP to operate from Afghan soil. Afghan officials refused to issue such guarantees, citing sovereignty concerns.
As negotiations faltered, tensions once again rose.
November 2025: Peshawar Attack and Alleged Airstrikes
The recent attack on the Federal Constabulary headquarters in Peshawar points to ongoing militant activity. Pakistan suspects that TTP elements carried out the attack or were linked to it.
The next day, Afghanistan accused Pakistan of conducting airstrikes that caused civilian casualties, an allegation, if confirmed, that would represent one of the most serious escalations in recent years.
The Broader Implications for Regional Stability
The worsening situation raises concerns about broader regional security.
Cross-Border Militancy
Pakistan argues that the continued presence of TTP militants in Afghanistan threatens its national security. Afghanistan counters that military strikes inside its territory undermine its sovereignty and risk civilian harm.
Humanitarian Impact
Reports of civilian casualties highlight the impact on local communities living along the contested border areas. These regions have endured years of conflict, displacement, and economic hardship.
Diplomatic Fallout
The incident may strain already fragile relations. Both governments face internal pressures, making compromise difficult without international mediation.
Risks of Miscalculation
Frequent attacks, counterattacks, and disputed borders increase the risk that localized incidents could spiral into broader conflict.
Conclusion
The alleged Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan and the deadly attack in Peshawar represent a new escalation in an already volatile environment. With the TTP’s activities, the disputed Durand Line, and long-standing political mistrust shaping the relationship, both countries face significant challenges in de-escalating the situation.
Efforts at mediation have temporarily reduced tensions in the past, but lasting stability remains elusive without a structured framework for addressing cross-border militancy and border disputes. As both nations navigate this crisis, the implications for regional peace and security will continue to draw international attention.
0 Comments