Tensions Soar as Pakistan and Afghanistan Exchange Deadly Border Fire

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalated sharply over the weekend after deadly border clashes triggered by retaliatory strikes from Afghan forces. The violent exchange, which began late Saturday, saw both sides reporting significantly different casualty figures and blaming each other for the hostilities.

Afghan security forces launched attacks on Pakistani soldiers along the border, claiming it was in response to airstrikes carried out by Pakistan on Kabul and other areas on Thursday night. The Taliban-led government claimed their strikes killed 58 Pakistani soldiers, while Pakistan put its own death toll at 23 and said its counteroffensive killed more than 200 Taliban and affiliated fighters.

As the situation intensified, border crossings between the two countries were closed on Sunday, halting the movement of people and goods and raising fears of further escalation.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attacks and issued a strong warning, saying there would be “no compromise” on Pakistan’s defence. “Every provocation will be met with a strong and effective response,” he stated, accusing the Afghan authorities of allowing their soil to be used by terrorist elements against Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the Taliban warned that they have “other options” if Pakistan refuses to engage in dialogue. Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi alleged that certain factions in Islamabad were trying to derail relations between the two countries, an apparent reference to the Pakistani military.

The longstanding friction between the two neighbors has worsened since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021. Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Taliban regime of harboring members of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a group responsible for numerous deadly attacks inside Pakistan. Afghanistan has consistently denied these claims. The two countries share a 2,611-kilometer border, known as the Durand Line, which Afghanistan has never officially recognized.

Amid the rising tensions, international mediation efforts were launched. The Taliban confirmed that their strikes were paused after intervention by Qatar and Saudi Arabia, who stepped in to de-escalate the situation.

Despite the pause in direct conflict, the future of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations remains uncertain, with both sides maintaining hardened positions and deep mistrust.