The Durand Line
The border between Pakistan and Afghanistan is called the Durand Line, drawn in 1893 between British India and Afghanistan.
IAS Express
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Afghanistan has historically disputed this border; many in Afghanistan consider it artificial, and it divides Pashtun ethnic groups.
Hindustan Times
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Defense GDA
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Early Clashes
In 1949, Pakistan carried out an air raid into Afghanistan (Mughalgai raid), targeting suspected militants across the border.
Wikipedia
In the late 1950s / early 1960s, there was the Bajaur Campaign (1960-61), where Afghan-supported Pashtun tribal groups clashed with Pakistani forces.
Wikipedia
There were also diplomatic tensions — for example, in 1955 riots in Afghan cities targeted the Pakistani embassy.
Wikipedia
1990s and the Taliban Rise
During the Afghan Civil War (1996–2001), Pakistan was accused of supporting the Taliban. One key event: Battle of Sheberghan in 1997, where Pakistani forces (or at least commandos) helped the Taliban.
Wikipedia
In 1995, Afghan protesters attacked the Pakistani embassy in Kabul, showing how tense public sentiment was.
Wikipedia
Post-2001 / U.S. Invasion Period
When the U.S. invaded Afghanistan in 2001, Pakistan played a complicated role. It officially partnered with the U.S., but there were also allegations/support for Taliban-aligned groups.
Defense GDA
The TTP (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan) emerged as a key non-state militant group. This Pakistani Taliban is not exactly the same as the Afghan Taliban, but there are ideological and ethnic links.
Defense GDA
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Pakistan has long claimed that some TTP fighters operate from sanctuaries in Afghanistan.
Encyclopedia Britannica
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2. Recent / Current Conflict (2024 – 2025)
Border Clashes and Escalation
Since 2024, there have been repeated armed skirmishes between Pakistani forces and Afghan forces / militants along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border.
Wikipedia
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Al Jazeera
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The border is very porous, especially in Pashtun tribal regions.
IAS Express
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aviation-defence-universe.com
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In October 2025, there was a significant escalation: cross-border fire, reported Pakistani airstrikes into Afghanistan, and destruction of border posts.
Wikipedia
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Ceasefire Attempts
A fragile truce was brokered (with outside help) for 48 hours after deadly clashes.
Al Jazeera
Despite this, both sides accuse each other of violating sovereignty — Pakistan says it’s targeting militant hideouts; Afghanistan (under the Taliban government) accuses Pakistan of aggression.
aviation-defence-universe.com
There is major pressure on the Taliban in Kabul to rein in TTP militants — Pakistan’s defense leadership states that the ceasefire depends on the Taliban preventing TTP attacks.
Reuters
Underlying Causes of Tension
Militant Safe Havens: Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring TTP militants who cross into Pakistan to launch attacks.
Defense GDA
Strategic Rivalries: There are broader geopolitical dynamics — for example, some analysts argue that India-Pakistan rivalry underpins part of the tension.
Le Monde.fr
Border Infrastructure: Pakistan has been constructing outposts and fortifying parts of the border; this is seen by some in Afghanistan (especially the Taliban) as a violation.
IAS Express
Casualties & Claims
Both sides claim heavy losses. According to recent reports, Afghanistan claims to have killed dozens of Pakistani troops, while Pakistan claims to have killed hundreds of Taliban-linked fighters.
The Washington Post
There are also claims of civilian harm.
The Business Standard
Because the conflict involves non-state actors (like the TTP), it’s not a classic state-vs-state war — but the fighting is intense and dangerous.
3. Why This Conflict Matters
Regional Stability: These clashes risk destabilizing a very volatile region. If things spiral, it could draw in more regional powers.
Counterterrorism: For Pakistan, the TTP is a major enemy. They see Afghan-based militants as a direct threat to their internal security.
Diplomatic Implications: Relations between Pakistan and the Taliban-led Afghan government are complicated — past support has turned into distrust.
Pashtun Population: Many Pashtuns live on both sides of the Durand Line; border policies, militarization, and conflict deeply affect their lives.
4. Challenges to Resolving the Conflict
Lack of Trust: Deep mutual distrust — historical grievances, the Durand Line issue, and competing militant allegiances make diplomacy hard.
Non-State Actors: Groups like the TTP don’t answer cleanly to state authorities, making control and negotiation difficult.
Sovereignty vs Security: For Afghanistan (especially Taliban government), any Pakistani military action in Afghan territory is a sovereignty violation. For Pakistan, security from militant attacks is a fundamental concern.
External Influences: Other countries have strategic interests in both Pakistan and Afghanistan, which further complicates a bilateral solution.
Bottom Line
There’s no formal “declared war” between Pakistan and Afghanistan in the traditional sense, but there is a very serious, ongoing conflict that mixes state military actions with non-state militant violence.
The root causes go deep — historical border issues, ethnic ties, and geopolitical machinations — and the current clashes are very much a continuation of those long-standing tensions.
The situation is fragile: ceasefires exist, but violations happen, and the risk of escalation remains high.
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