Escalation at the Afghanistan-Pakistan Border
In a recent development, Afghan forces reportedly engaged in overnight operations along the border with Pakistan, resulting in 58 Pakistani soldiers being killed, according to the Afghan government. The Pakistani military, however, reported a lower figure, stating that 23 of its troops had died.
Earlier accusations from Afghan officials pointed to Pakistan conducting bombings in Kabul and an eastern market, though Pakistan has not acknowledged involvement. The Taliban’s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, announced that Afghan forces had seized 25 Pakistani army posts, causing injuries to 30 Pakistani soldiers.
“The situation on all official borders and de facto lines of Afghanistan is under complete control, and illegal activities have been largely prevented,” Mujahid stated during a press briefing in Kabul.
Past incidents have seen Pakistan targeting alleged militant hideouts within Afghanistan, largely in remote regions, while skirmishes have occurred at the border. The recent clashes highlight the escalating tensions between the two nations.
The Defense Ministry of the Taliban government declared that its forces executed “retaliatory and successful operations” along the border. The ministry further warned, “If the opposing side again violates Afghanistan’s territorial integrity, our armed forces are fully prepared to defend the nation’s borders and will deliver a strong response.”
The Torkham crossing, a vital trade route, remained closed on Sunday morning, and the Chaman crossing in Pakistan’s southwest was also shut. This closure prevented people, including Afghan refugees, from crossing due to the deteriorating security situation. An explosion was reported in Spin Boldak, Kandahar province, with an Associated Press reporter witnessing jets overhead and smoke rising from the area.
Regional and International Reactions
Pakistan has accused Afghanistan of sheltering members of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan group, which it blames for attacks within its borders, though Kabul denies these allegations. The clashes risk contributing to regional instability, especially given previous close calls to war between India and Pakistan over similar tensions.
India, having strengthened its ties with the Taliban regime, recently upgraded its Kabul technical mission to a full embassy. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have called for restraint, with Saudi Arabia urging dialogue and wisdom to de-escalate the situation. Saudi Arabia recently signed a mutual defense pact with Pakistan.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, currently visiting India, expressed respect for the Gulf powers’ requests to cease “retaliatory strikes” against Pakistan while asserting Afghanistan’s right to self-defense. “We want a peaceful resolution of the situation, but if the peace efforts don’t succeed, we have other options,” Muttaqi said.
Pakistan’s Response
Prior to the Afghan claims, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, stating that Pakistan’s army responded effectively by destroying several Afghan posts. Pakistani security forces released videos purportedly showing destroyed Afghan checkpoints, though these claims could not be independently verified due to restricted media access.
Pakistan’s military claims to have neutralized over 200 Taliban and affiliated terrorists, with a higher number reported injured. According to Pakistani officials, Afghan forces initiated fire in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province’s border areas. An unnamed official disclosed that Pakistan had seized 19 Afghan border posts involved in the attacks, noting that Taliban personnel had either been killed or had fled from these posts.
The two countries share a 2,611-kilometer (1,622-mile) border, known as the Durand Line, which Afghanistan has never officially recognized.
