Pakistan and Afghanistan in 'Open War'
Pakistan and Afghanistan have traded air and ground strikes, with Pakistan's defense minister declaring an “open war” between the countries. The escalation followed Pakistani bombings in Kabul and Kandahar, prompting retaliatory strikes from the Afghan Taliban, who have since signaled a willingness for dialogue. Both sides have reported significant but unverified casualties.
The current conflict is rooted in disputes over the 2,640-kilometer Durand Line, a border established in 1893 between British India and the Emirate of Afghanistan. Successive Afghan governments, including the Taliban, have never formally recognized this border, which divides the Pashtun ethnic group. At the heart of the military escalation is the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a U.N.-designated terrorist organization. Pakistan accuses the Afghan Taliban of providing sanctuary for TTP militants who carry out attacks in Pakistan, a charge the Afghan government denies. The TTP, led by Noor Wali Mehsud, shares ideological ties with the Afghan Taliban but operates as a separate entity. This is not the first instance of armed conflict between the two nations; skirmishes have occurred periodically since 1949. However, tensions have significantly increased since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, leading to more frequent and deadly border clashes. Recent fighting in late 2025 and early 2026 saw dozens of soldiers and civilians killed on both sides. The latest round of strikes is among the most severe escalations, with Pakistan conducting airstrikes deep into Afghan territory, including near Kabul and the Taliban's power base in Kandahar. In response, Afghanistan's Ministry of National Defense claimed its retaliatory attacks killed 55 Pakistani soldiers and captured multiple posts, figures that remain unverified. Major border crossings, such as Torkham and Chaman, have been repeatedly shut down amidst the fighting, halting crucial trade and civilian movement. The longest of these shutdowns in recent memory occurred in mid-October, highlighting the severe economic and humanitarian impact of the conflict. Prior attempts at de-escalation have faltered. A ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Turkey in October 2025 has proven fragile. Pakistan has since shifted its policy from diplomacy to coercion, launching operations like 'Azm-e-Istkeham' to combat cross-border insurgency. The conflict represents a dramatic deterioration in relations since the 2021 Taliban takeover, an event Pakistan initially hoped would be beneficial to its strategic interests. Now, Islamabad accuses the Afghan Taliban of collaborating with its rival, India, further complicating the regional security landscape.
