Islamabad: Tensions have sharply escalated between Afghanistan and Pakistan following intense cross-border clashes along the Durand Line, a border that Afghanistan has never officially recognized. The skirmishes involved heavy gunfire and shelling, resulting in conflicting casualty claims from both sides.
Conflicting Casualty Reports
Afghan authorities claimed that their forces killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in retaliatory action. Pakistan, however, rejected this figure, stating that 23 soldiers were killed while 200 Taliban fighters were neutralized. The confrontation underscores the growing volatility along the 2,600-kilometer border.
Bombardment Allegations and Border Closure
Kabul accused Pakistan of carrying out bombing operations inside Afghan territory, affecting areas including the capital and eastern markets. Pakistan has neither confirmed nor denied these allegations. In response to the rising tensions, the Torkham border crossing—a key trade route between the two nations—has been closed.
Afghan Defense Ministry Issues Warning
Inayatullah Khwarazmi, spokesperson for the Afghan Defense Ministry, stated, “Our army is fully prepared to defend the country’s borders and will respond decisively to any attacks.”
International Appeals for Restraint
Countries including Saudi Arabia and Qatar have urged both sides to exercise restraint and resolve the dispute through dialogue. Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, visiting India, rejected Pakistan’s claim that the Taliban government is providing shelter to TTP (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan) militants, clarifying that “TTP members are Pakistani nationals living here as refugees. This is Pakistan’s internal issue, not ours.”
Muttaqi further warned, “We want peace, but if attacked, we have other options.”
In Hindsight
Pakistan, once a major supporter of the Taliban, was among the three countries to recognize the Taliban government in the 1990s. Today, the evolving conflict signals a dramatic shift in regional dynamics, highlighting Afghanistan’s growing assertiveness and Pakistan’s complex security challenges.
The standoff raises concerns about regional stability and the potential for wider escalation if diplomatic channels fail to ease tensions.
