About our Afghanistan/Pakistan news
Latest news on Afghanistan and Pakistan, covering the Durand Line border conflict, Taliban, TTP, cross-border tensions, diplomacy, and security developments.
Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have reached a critical juncture, with the two neighbours locked in an escalating cycle of cross-border military strikes and retaliatory operations along their shared 2,640-kilometre Durand Line border. Pakistan has accused Afghanistan's Taliban government of harbouring the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group responsible for a surge in deadly attacks across Pakistan, including bombings targeting mosques, military posts, and civilian areas. Kabul denies the allegations, accusing Pakistan of targeting Afghan civilians and religious sites in its air strikes.
The conflict intensified sharply in February 2026 when Pakistan launched air strikes on Afghan provinces including Nangarhar, Paktika, and Khost, claiming to target TTP and Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) camps. Afghanistan's Taliban government retaliated with large-scale ground operations against Pakistani military positions along the Durand Line. Pakistan subsequently struck targets in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia, with its defence minister declaring "open war" against Afghanistan. These developments shattered a fragile Qatar-mediated ceasefire agreed in October 2025, after border clashes that killed more than 70 people on both sides.
The crisis carries immense human consequences. Pakistan has pursued mass deportations of Afghan refugees under its "Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan", with millions of Afghans forced to return to a country gripped by humanitarian disaster. Nearly half the Afghan population requires humanitarian assistance, while the Taliban's severe restrictions on women's education and employment make conditions especially dire for female returnees. Many deportees had lived in Pakistan for decades, with some born there and having never set foot in Afghanistan.
The Durand Line, drawn in 1893 by British diplomat Sir Mortimer Durand, lies at the heart of the dispute. The border divided Pashtun tribal lands between what became Pakistan and Afghanistan, splitting communities and trade routes. No Afghan government has ever fully accepted the line as a legitimate international boundary, viewing it as a colonial-era imposition. The TTP, which emerged in 2007 as a coalition of militant factions in Pakistan's tribal areas, shares deep ideological ties with the Afghan Taliban but operates as a distinct movement. The porous nature of the border has long enabled fighters to move between the two countries, fuelling mutual suspicion and periodic confrontation.
Regional dynamics add further complexity. India has deepened engagement with the Taliban government, a development that has alarmed Islamabad, which has accused Afghanistan of becoming a proxy for Indian interests. China, Qatar, and Türkiye have all attempted to mediate, with limited success. The UN has repeatedly urged both sides to cease hostilities and protect civilians, while international observers warn that sustained escalation risks destabilising the broader region.
Our ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ feed on Afghanistan and Pakistan provides constantly updated coverage of this fast-moving situation, drawing together the most relevant headlines from trusted sources. Whether you are following the military developments along the Durand Line, the humanitarian impact on Afghan civilians and refugees, or the diplomatic efforts to restore stability, this feed is your comprehensive source for all the latest news on Afghanistan-Pakistan relations.