Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have escalated into deadly clashes on the border, leaving at least eight people dead on the Afghan side and 13 injured, including civilians. The conflict, which lasted until late Saturday night, comes amid rising tensions between the two countries, which were once considered allies.
The violence followed intense gunfire and was reportedly triggered by targeted Pakistani airstrikes against alleged camps of the banned Tehreek-e-Tehrik Taliban (TTP) in eastern Afghanistan’s Paktika province earlier this week. . Pakistani security officials say the airstrike was in response to a failed infiltration attempt by militants from Afghanistan.
Pakistani sources said militants who tried to breach the border on Friday night were repulsed by Pakistan’s military. The next morning, these militants allegedly joined Afghan forces and launched coordinated attacks on Pakistani border crossings using light and heavy weapons. The attacks targeted multiple areas including Gozgarhi, Martha Sangar, Kot Raga and Tali Mengal.
Pakistani forces reportedly retaliated, inflicting heavy losses and forcing the attackers to abandon their mission. However, the violence claimed the life of one Frontier Corps soldier and injured 11 others.
This is a long-standing issue, cross-border combat
Pakistan has long accused the Afghan Taliban of harboring TTP militants who have stepped up attacks on Pakistani security forces in recent months. These attacks, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, have heightened security concerns for Islamabad.
Pakistan called on the Afghan government to take decisive action against the TTP, but said there could be no dialogue between the two countries amid continued violence.
As these diplomatic requests failed, tensions escalated on December 24 when Pakistan reportedly launched an airstrike on Paktika’s Barmal district, killing at least 46 people, including women and children. The Taliban’s Defense Ministry condemned the attack, calling it an attack on civilians and vowing retaliation.
Diplomatic efforts amid intensifying hostilities
The airstrikes took place on the same day that a Pakistani delegation led by Special Representative Mohammad Sadiq met with Afghan leaders in Kabul, aiming to resume diplomatic dialogue after a year. However, the Afghan government formally protested the airstrike and accused Pakistan of targeting civilians rather than insurgents.
The escalation in the conflict comes against the backdrop of strained relations following the TTP’s termination of its ceasefire with Pakistan in November 2022. Since then, TTP attacks have claimed the lives of scores of Pakistani soldiers, further deteriorating relations between the neighboring countries.
What lies ahead?
The renewed border violence, marked by both airstrikes and ground clashes, shows growing mistrust between Kabul and Islamabad. Pakistan continues to demand action against the TTP, but the Afghan Taliban deny harboring militants and accuse Pakistan of targeting civilians under the guise of counterterrorism operations.
