What’s Behind the Pakistan-Afghanistan Conflict?

Darwin, October 13 —

Al Jazeera Analysis:

Fierce clashes have erupted along multiple locations of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, marking one of the most severe border confrontations between the two countries in recent years. Both sides have claimed to have seized and destroyed each other’s border outposts.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated that at least 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed in a “retaliatory attack” on Saturday night. This assault came two days after explosions in Kabul and in the southeastern Afghan province of Paktika.

The Pakistani military has acknowledged the loss of 23 personnel, whom it referred to as “martyrs.” However, it claimed that in a counter-offensive, 200 Taliban fighters and their allied “terrorists” were killed. Earlier, Pakistan’s interior minister had termed the Afghan attack as “unprovoked firing.”

The Taliban government has accused Pakistan of being behind recent bombings. However, Islamabad has neither confirmed nor denied this allegation.

According to Al Jazeera, Pakistan is widely believed to have long supported Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan. During the US-led occupation of Afghanistan, Pakistan was one of only three countries that recognized the Taliban regime from 1996 to 2001.

Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, a surge in militant attacks in Pakistan has severely strained relations. Islamabad accuses the Taliban of sheltering Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), or the Pakistani Taliban, who are responsible for numerous attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul denies these accusations.

What Triggered the Clash?

On Thursday, explosions rocked the Afghan capital Kabul, followed by another blast in a civilian market in Paktika province. The Taliban defense ministry reported these incidents on Friday.

The Taliban accused Pakistan of “violating Afghanistan’s sovereignty.” Islamabad did not directly deny this accusation but urged the Taliban to crack down on TTP activities.

A Pakistani security official told Reuters that the attacks were airstrikes targeting TTP leader Noor Wali Mehsud, who was reportedly traveling in a vehicle at the time.

Al Jazeera could not independently verify whether Mehsud survived the attack.

Once considered close security partners, relations between Pakistan and the Taliban have become increasingly hostile in recent years. Islamabad continues to allege that the Taliban are giving refuge to TTP fighters who have carried out years of deadly attacks inside Pakistan.

According to the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), based in Islamabad, at least 2,414 people have been killed in armed violence in the first nine months of this year alone.

In its latest report published last month, the center warned that if current trends continue, 2025 could become one of the bloodiest years for Pakistan. Last year, at least 2,546 people were killed in various attacks.

Since the ousting of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in April 2022, Pakistan has seen a rise in armed attacks. During Khan’s tenure, Pakistan had used the Taliban as a mediator in efforts to broker a ceasefire with the TTP. Although the ceasefire broke down under Khan’s government, the intensity of attacks was relatively lower at the time.

Lately, Pakistan has increased airstrikes targeting TTP hideouts inside Afghanistan, worsening relations between the two neighbors.

Adding to tensions, Pakistan recently decided to repatriate over 10,000 Afghan refugees. Currently, around 3 million Afghan refugees live in Pakistan, many of whom fled decades of war in their homeland.

What’s the Latest Situation?

At around 10 PM on Saturday night (5 PM GMT), Taliban fighters launched a large-scale assault on Pakistan’s border areas. Gunfights erupted in several locations.

According to Pakistani officials and state-run radio, the clashes occurred in areas such as Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, and Chitral, all located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Fighting also broke out in the Behramchah area of Balochistan.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid claimed that Afghan forces killed 58 Pakistani soldiers, captured 25 military posts, and injured another 30.

Mujahid stated:

“All official borders and practical control lines of Afghanistan are now fully under our control. Illegal activities have been largely prevented.”
He said this during a press conference held in Kabul on Saturday night.

On Sunday, Afghan news outlet TOLOnews reported that the defense ministry had deployed tanks and heavy weaponry in Kunar province, which lies along the 2,640-kilometer-long border known from colonial times as the Durand Line.

In a Sunday statement, the Pakistani military labeled the Taliban attack as a “cowardly move” aimed at destabilizing the border region and encouraging terrorism.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) of Pakistan said:

“Exercising the right to self-defense, Pakistan’s alert armed forces strongly repelled the attack.”

The ISPR further stated:

“Last night’s events prove that the Taliban government is actively aiding terrorists.”

It also said at least 29 Pakistani soldiers were injured in the overnight clashes.

The military claimed to have destroyed multiple Taliban positions along the border, temporarily seized 21 enemy posts inside Afghan territory, and disabled several terrorist training camps used to plan and support attacks on Pakistan.

Although direct exchanges of fire appear to have stopped for now, residents of Pakistan’s Kurram area reported hearing sporadic gunfire.