Escalating Tensions Between Pakistan and Afghanistan: A New Chapter in the Durand Line Conflict

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have sharply escalated, resembling an all-out confrontation after months of border closures and skirmishes. The Durand Line, a contentious border, has become a focal point of conflict as both nations accuse each other of harboring militants. Recent airstrikes and retaliatory actions have intensified the situation, reflecting a complex history of alliances and hostilities. This article delves into the evolving dynamics of this geopolitical struggle, examining the implications for regional stability and security.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 28, 2026, 14:42 IST

Rising Hostilities Along the Durand Line

New Delhi, Feb 28: Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have surged dramatically after nearly four months of border closures due to sporadic clashes along the Durand Line and intermittent aerial attacks by Pakistan within Afghan territory, leading to what many are now calling an 'all-out' conflict.

The Durand Line, a British-era border stretching approximately 2,600 km through challenging mountainous regions, has never received formal recognition from Kabul. Afghan governments have consistently claimed rights over Pashtun-majority areas in Pakistan, making this border a continuous source of contention.

Since the onset of clashes in October, Pakistan has conducted several airstrikes in Afghanistan, accusing the Taliban of sheltering leaders and fighters from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban, along with elements associated with the Islamic State. Kabul has consistently refuted these claims, yet the issue has overshadowed numerous inconclusive diplomatic discussions, some facilitated by regional players.

Pakistan has faced a wave of violent attacks in recent months, including a suicide bombing at a mosque in Islamabad on February 6 that resulted in over 30 fatalities. Authorities have attributed this attack to militants allegedly operating under the guidance of leadership based in Afghanistan. The TTP, established in 2007 as a coalition for militant groups in Pakistan's northwest, has taken responsibility for various assaults targeting religious sites, civilians, and security forces.

Interestingly, both the Afghan Taliban and the Pakistani Taliban are rooted in the Pashtun community, which spans both sides of the Durand Line. During the US-led military intervention in Afghanistan, these groups collaborated against foreign forces, with reports of militants receiving logistical support, training, and medical aid from safe havens in Pakistan.

What began in the 1980s as Islamabad's strategic support for Afghan mujahideen against Soviet forces, covertly backed by Washington, has transformed over the years into a complex and increasingly adversarial relationship. The current hostilities illustrate a significant shift, with former allies now facing off across a disputed border.

In a notable turn of events, Afghanistan's Ministry of Defence announced on Friday that its air force had targeted military sites within Pakistan. This statement, reported by Kabul-based TOLO news, indicates a rare instance of cross-border aerial retaliation by the Taliban regime.

The Taliban are believed to have inherited a limited air fleet following the US withdrawal in 2021, which includes a few Russian-made fighter jets and helicopters. However, experts are divided regarding the operational readiness of these assets and the availability of trained pilots and maintenance facilities.

In contrast, Pakistan maintains a considerable conventional advantage, boasting an air force of around 400 fighter jets, many sourced from the US and China, alongside an active military force of approximately 600,000 personnel. The Taliban's estimated 170,000-strong militia is comparatively less equipped. Additionally, Pakistan's status as a nuclear-armed nation adds a strategic layer to the ongoing standoff.

When the Taliban seized control of Kabul in August 2021 following the withdrawal of US-led forces, Islamabad publicly welcomed the change. The then Prime Minister Imran Khan described it as a moment when Afghans had 'broken the shackles of slavery.' Around that time, a widely circulated photograph depicted Faiz Hameed, the then Director-General of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), meeting with Taliban leaders in Kabul, symbolizing Islamabad's influence.

Hameed was later arrested and court-martialed in August 2024 on charges including political interference and violation of the Official Secrets Act. By December 2025, he was reportedly sentenced to 14 years in prison, with some analysts attributing his downfall to internal power struggles and controversies surrounding Pakistan's policy towards Afghanistan.

As cross-border strikes and accusations escalate, the Afghan landscape appears to be at the forefront of a shifting geopolitical contest. The mountains along the Durand Line, historically a symbol of strategic depth and insurgent refuge, now stand on the verge of a potentially transformative chapter in what many are calling a renewed 'Great Game' in the region.