A chilling declaration has echoed across the rugged mountains separating Pakistan and Afghanistan: “open war.” After years of simmering tensions and escalating border skirmishes along the contentious Durand Line, Pakistan has launched a sweeping military operation, codenamed “Righteous Fury,” directly targeting the Taliban government.
The initial wave of Pakistani airstrikes struck at the heart of Taliban control, hitting over twenty locations including Kabul, Kandahar, and key military installations. Explosions rattled the Afghan capital as Pakistan sought to dismantle command centers, ammunition stockpiles, and logistical networks. This wasn’t a response to a single incident, but a culmination of mounting frustrations.
The Taliban swiftly retaliated, claiming “large-scale offensive operations” against Pakistani military positions. Afghan officials asserted their drones successfully struck targets within Pakistan, a claim Islamabad disputes, stating any aerial incursions were neutralized by anti-drone systems. A dangerous tit-for-tat cycle had begun, fueled by decades of mistrust.
The human cost is already devastating, though the numbers remain fiercely contested. Pakistan reports hundreds of Taliban fighters killed or wounded, alongside casualties within its own ranks. Afghanistan counters with claims of Pakistani soldiers lost, and alleges civilian injuries from strikes, including an attack on a refugee camp. Verifying these figures amidst the chaos proves nearly impossible.
Pakistan’s leadership insists diplomatic avenues have been exhausted, framing the conflict as a necessary response to escalating instability and terrorism. They accuse the Taliban of allowing Afghanistan to become a haven for militant groups – specifically the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) – and even allege a disturbing alignment with regional rival India.
The Taliban, while expressing a desire for dialogue, have warned of further responses to Pakistani aggression. Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai echoed this sentiment, urging Pakistan to reconsider its policies and embrace peaceful relations. Yet, the path to de-escalation appears fraught with obstacles, shadowed by a history of broken agreements.
This current crisis represents a dramatic escalation from the fragile ceasefire brokered last October. Subsequent negotiations in Doha and Istanbul failed to yield a lasting solution, bogged down by disputes over border control, trade, and the implementation of the ceasefire itself. Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, the relationship has steadily deteriorated.
At the core of this conflict lies the Durand Line, a 1,600-mile border drawn in 1893 during the colonial era. While internationally recognized by Pakistan, Afghanistan vehemently rejects it, viewing it as an artificial division that cleaves through Pashtun communities and fuels enduring resentment.
Both nations accuse the other of failing to contain militant activity along the border. Pakistan alleges Afghanistan provides sanctuary to groups responsible for attacks within its territory, while the Taliban dismisses these accusations, attributing Pakistan’s security woes to internal issues. This marks the first time Pakistan has directly targeted Taliban government sites, a significant shift in strategy.
Adding another layer of complexity, broader regional rivalries are intensifying the crisis. India has strongly condemned Pakistan’s airstrikes, and Pakistan alleges India is actively funding anti-Pakistan groups operating from Afghan soil – accusations India vehemently denies. A dangerous game of proxy conflict appears to be unfolding.
The international community is urging restraint and a return to dialogue. The United Nations, the UK, Iran, Russia, Türkiye, Qatar, and China have all called for de-escalation and offered to mediate. However, the deep-seated mistrust and conflicting narratives present a formidable challenge to any diplomatic effort.
The stakes are incredibly high. Pakistan and India both possess nuclear weapons, and Afghanistan has long served as a breeding ground for extremist movements. The military imbalance is stark: Pakistan boasts a massive, well-equipped army, while the Taliban rely on a significantly smaller force with limited air power.
Analysts warn this disparity could lead to a shift towards unconventional warfare, including a potential surge in terrorist attacks within Pakistan’s major cities. The conflict threatens to destabilize an already volatile region, with consequences that could reverberate far beyond its borders.
