Afghanistan and Pakistan Exchange Deadliest Border Fire in Years as Tensions Escalate

PESHAWAR/KABUL — Afghanistan and Pakistan have exchanged their deadliest cross‑border fire in years, leaving scores of soldiers and civilians dead, shuttering key trade routes, and raising fears of a wider conflict along one of the world’s most volatile frontiers. The clashes, which erupted over the weekend and continued into Tuesday, represent the most serious escalation since the Taliban seized power in Kabul in 2021 and have already triggered economic and humanitarian fallout on both sides of the Durand Line.

According to Afghan officials, at least 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed in retaliatory attacks launched by Taliban forces late Saturday, while Pakistan’s military claimed to have killed more than 200 Taliban fighters and affiliated militants in strikes on border posts. Both sides accused the other of initiating the violence, with Islamabad alleging “unprovoked fire” from Afghan positions and Kabul insisting its forces were responding to Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghan territory.

The violence has forced the closure of major border crossings, stranded thousands of trucks, and halted the flow of goods between the two countries. In Karachi, Pakistani authorities suspended the loading of Afghan cargo at the port, leaving hundreds of containers idle. Afghan traders warned of severe financial losses, with perishable goods rotting in stranded trucks.

A Long‑Simmering Dispute

The clashes are the latest flare‑up in a long‑running dispute over the 2,600‑kilometer Durand Line, the colonial‑era boundary that Afghanistan has never formally recognized. For decades, the porous border has been a flashpoint for tensions, with both sides accusing each other of harboring militants and failing to control cross‑border attacks.

Since the Taliban’s return to power, relations have deteriorated further. Pakistan has accused Kabul of sheltering the Tehrik‑i‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group responsible for deadly attacks inside Pakistan. Afghan officials deny the charge but acknowledge that TTP fighters have found refuge in remote border regions.

The latest clashes began after Pakistani forces reportedly shelled Afghan positions in Khost and Paktika provinces, prompting a fierce response from Taliban fighters. Heavy artillery and mortars were used, and both sides reported damage to military posts and civilian homes. Videos circulating on social media showed plumes of smoke rising from border villages and families fleeing the fighting.

“This is the most intense exchange we have seen in years,” said a senior Afghan security official, speaking on condition of anonymity. “The Taliban leadership has decided that enough is enough. They will not tolerate Pakistani strikes on Afghan soil.”

Pakistan, for its part, said its forces acted in self‑defense after Afghan troops and TTP militants jointly attacked a border post in Kurram district. “Our response was strong and proportionate,” a Pakistani military spokesman said. “We will not allow our sovereignty to be violated.”

Civilian Toll and Humanitarian Fallout

Beyond the battlefield, civilians have borne the brunt of the violence. Afghan officials reported dozens of civilian casualties in border provinces, while Pakistani authorities said several villages in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were hit by Afghan shelling. Local media showed images of damaged homes and families sheltering in makeshift camps.

The closure of border crossings has compounded the crisis. At Torkham and Spin Boldak, two of the busiest trade routes, hundreds of trucks have been stranded for days. Afghan traders say nearly 2,000 containers are stuck at the crossings, while another 800 remain blocked at Karachi port. The disruption has already pushed up food prices in Kabul and other Afghan cities, where inflation and unemployment are already high.

“This is devastating for us,” said Ahmad Khan, an Afghan fruit exporter whose trucks are stranded at Spin Boldak. “We are losing thousands of dollars every day. If this continues, many of us will go bankrupt.”

Aid agencies have warned that the fighting could worsen Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis, where more than half the population already relies on international assistance. The United Nations urged both sides to exercise restraint and reopen border crossings for humanitarian supplies.

Regional and International Reactions

The escalation has alarmed regional powers and international observers. China, which has invested heavily in infrastructure projects in Pakistan and maintains ties with the Taliban, called for “maximum restraint” and offered to mediate. Iran expressed concern about instability spilling across its eastern border, while India, a longtime rival of Pakistan, said it was monitoring the situation closely.

The United States, which withdrew its troops from Afghanistan in 2021 but continues to monitor regional security, urged both sides to de‑escalate. “We are deeply concerned about the loss of life and the risk of further instability,” a State Department spokesperson said. “We call on Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their differences through dialogue, not violence.”

Analysts say the clashes highlight the fragility of the region’s security architecture. “This is not just a border skirmish,” said Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center. “It reflects deeper tensions over militancy, sovereignty, and the Taliban’s relationship with its neighbors. Unless there is a serious effort at dialogue, we could see more violence in the months ahead.”

What Comes Next

Both governments have signaled a willingness to negotiate, but mistrust runs deep. Pakistan has demanded that the Taliban crack down on TTP fighters, while Kabul insists that Islamabad respect Afghan sovereignty and halt cross‑border strikes. Efforts by Qatar and China to mediate have so far yielded little progress.

For now, the border remains tense. Residents on both sides report hearing sporadic gunfire, and military reinforcements have been deployed. The risk of further escalation is high, particularly if either side suffers more casualties.

“The danger is that this could spiral out of control,” said Rahmatullah Nabil, a former Afghan intelligence chief. “Neither side wants a full‑scale war, but both are under pressure to show strength. That is a recipe for continued clashes.”

As winter approaches, the stakes are rising. Afghanistan faces another season of food shortages and economic hardship, while Pakistan grapples with political instability and militant violence. For ordinary people living along the border, the prospect of more fighting is a grim reminder that peace remains elusive.

Reporting by Nick Ravenshade. Original analysis by NENC Media Group.
Sources: Associated Press, Al Jazeera, Sky News, Khaama Press, India Today, Britannica.