Afghanistan-Pakistan Border clashes escalate; Islamabad closes Crossings

Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan escalated sharply over the weekend as both sides exchanged heavy artillery and gunfire along the Durand Line, their 2,600-kilometer-long border. The clashes erupted at key crossing points including Torkham in the north, linking Nangarhar province with Pakistan’s Khyber District, and Chaman in the south, connecting Kandahar with Balochistan. Other flashpoints included Pakistan’s Kurram, Bajaur, Dir, and Chitral districts, along with Afghanistan’s Khost, Paktia, and Kunar provinces. In response to the intense fighting, Pakistan shut down its main border crossings after Kabul claimed to have killed Pakistani soldiers in retaliatory attacks following Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan soil. This marks one of the most serious flare-ups along the volatile and strategically vital border in recent years, raising fears of wider regional instability.

Background of the Clashes

The recent clashes stem from longstanding tensions over militant groups operating across the porous 2,600-km border between the two nations. Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Taliban administration of sheltering Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, who have carried out attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul has consistently denied allowing Pakistani militants to operate from Afghan territory.

The immediate trigger came on Thursday when Pakistan conducted airstrikes targeting a TTP leader in Kabul, though the Pakistani government has not officially confirmed the operation. Afghanistan’s ministry of defence responded with cross-border fire on Pakistani posts late Saturday, claiming it was in retaliation for the airstrikes. Both sides insist their actions were defensive and provoked. Pakistani security officials stated that they struck Afghan positions with gunfire and artillery in response.

Casualties and Damage

Afghanistan reported killing 58 Pakistani soldiers while losing 20 troops killed or injured, though it did not provide details on how these figures were confirmed. Pakistan acknowledged casualties among Afghan forces but did not release numbers. Both countries claimed to have destroyed border posts on the other side. Video footage shared by Pakistani officials purportedly shows Afghan posts being hit.

Ceasefire and Diplomatic Pressure

The exchanges largely subsided by Sunday morning, though intermittent gunfire continued in Pakistan’s Kurram region. Afghanistan’s ministry of defence said its operation ended at midnight, and the Taliban administration stated it halted attacks following requests from Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said, “There is no kind of threat in any part of Afghanistan's territory. The Islamic Emirate and the people of Afghanistan will defend their land and remain resolute and committed in this defence.”

Border Closures and Trade Impact Pakistan closed two major border crossings at Torkham and Chaman, as well as three minor crossings at Kharlachi, Angoor Adda, and Ghulam Khan. Afghanistan has not commented on the closures, but the shutdown affects trade and the movement of people across the 2,600-km border.

Escalation Pattern Analysts note that such clashes tend to intensify after unilateral military actions, like airstrikes or cross-border raids. Both Islamabad and Kabul present their strikes as retaliatory, making it difficult to assign clear accountability. Pakistan frames its actions as counterterrorism, while Afghanistan stresses its defensive response to foreign attacks.

Current Situation While the heavy exchange of fire has ended, tensions remain high. Both nations are monitoring the situation closely, with regional mediators, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia, urging restraint to prevent a full-scale escalation.

Is it a proxy war?

Is the US pushing Pakistan into border war with Afghanistan? To pressure the Taliban, the U.S. is reportedly leveraging its close ties with Pakistan, encouraging Islamabad to crack down on insurgent groups along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. President Donald Trump wants the Bagram Airbase back in Afghanistan, because of its strategic importance, particularly its location near China’s nuclear facilities. He sees regaining the base as critical for maintaining U.S. influence in the region and monitoring China. Trump has criticized the previous U.S. withdrawal as a disaster and views the handing over of Bagram to the Taliban as a major loss. However, the Taliban and regional powers like India, China, Pakistan, and Russia strongly oppose any U.S. military presence in Afghanistan. Their unified stance and the Taliban’s rejection make it nearly impossible for the U.S. to reclaim Bagram without a costly military intervention. This situation reflects the changing geopolitical dynamics in the region and seems to limit the feasibility of Trump’s approach.