A fresh surge of violence along the shared boundary between Pakistan and Afghanistan is intensifying existing tensions, particularly after Kabul alleged that Islamabad conducted air raids.
Intense combat broke out on Saturday along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, as confirmed by officials from both nations, following reciprocal allegations of airspace incursions and assaults.
Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry reported that its forces carried out “successful retaliatory operations” against Pakistani security positions “along the Durand Line” in response to what it characterized as successive Pakistani air raids. A statement, shared on X by spokesman Enayat Khowarazm, indicated that “the operation concluded” around midnight.
Jan Achakzai, a Pakistani provincial official, confirmed that clashes had occurred, stating on X that Pakistani forces had “delivered a strong response to Afghan aggression.”
“Afghan forces launched unprovoked attacks on five to six locations along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, targeting Pakistani posts,” he asserted. The Pakistani army’s counter-response “was so intense that Afghan attackers were forced to retreat, leaving behind their casualties,” he claimed. He further added that “Pakistan’s borders are secure… the Afghan government should remember that Pakistan’s desire for peace should not be mistaken for weakness.”
Neither party has disclosed information regarding casualties, and it is currently not feasible to independently corroborate these assertions.
This incident follows Thursday’s explosions in Kabul, which Afghan authorities attributed to Pakistani air strikes. Islamabad has not acknowledged conducting any cross-border attacks.
The recent intensification of hostilities between the two neighboring states has been linked to issues of border security and militant activities. Islamabad has accused Kabul of harboring Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters, accusations that the Taliban administration denies.
The fighting coincides with Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to India for discussions aimed at bolstering diplomatic and economic relations with New Delhi. Afghan officials have indicated that the visit is part of ongoing efforts to broaden regional collaboration.