Tensions between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have surged after the Taliban government accused Islamabad of carrying out an attack that killed more than 400 people, an allegation Pakistan denies. Here is how the two sides compare in military strength, from troop numbers to nuclear capability.
The accusations have raised fears of a sharp escalation between the neighbours, whose relationship has deteriorated in recent years despite their historical ties.
Pakistan has long been accused by regional governments and Western officials of supporting the Taliban during its insurgency, but relations have become increasingly strained since the group returned to power in Kabul in 2021.
Islamabad now accuses the Taliban authorities of allowing militant groups such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to operate from Afghan territory, a claim Kabul denies.
According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), a London-based defence think tank, Pakistan maintains one of the largest and most capable militaries in the region. The government has invested heavily in defence, expanding its nuclear programme and modernising its armed forces with equipment and support from its main defence partner, China.
Afghanistan’s capabilities are far more limited. Since the Taliban returned to power, the country has faced constraints due to the government’s lack of broad international recognition, restricting access to spare parts, technical expertise and the maintenance needed to keep many military systems operational.
Pakistan fields about 660,000 active military personnel, including roughly 560,000 in the army, 70,000 in the air force and 30,000 in the navy.
By contrast, Afghan Taliban forces are estimated to number between 150,000 and 170,000 personnel, making them significantly smaller than Pakistan’s military.
Pakistan also holds a major advantage in ground equipment. According to the IISS, the country operates more than 6,000 armoured fighting vehicles and over 4,600 pieces of artillery.
Afghan forces possess some armoured vehicles, including Soviet-era main battle tanks and armoured personnel carriers inherited from previous governments, but reliable estimates of their total numbers or artillery stockpiles are not available.
The gap is even wider in air power. Pakistan operates more than 400 combat aircraft and over 260 helicopters as part of a modern air force capable of conducting long-range strikes and supporting ground operations.
Afghanistan, by contrast, has no fighter jets and effectively no operational air force. It is believed to possess only a handful of aircraft and around two dozen helicopters, many of them ageing and of uncertain serviceability.
In recent months, the Afghan Taliban has used drones to target Pakistani positions, according to Reuters reporting, although the origin and scale of those systems remain unclear.
Pakistan also possesses nuclear weapons and continues to invest in its nuclear programme despite economic pressures.
Afghanistan does not have a nuclear arsenal.
Despite the imbalance in conventional military power, analysts say Afghanistan’s rugged terrain and long, porous border with Pakistan complicate any attempt at decisive military action. The two countries share a frontier of more than 2,600 kilometres, much of it mountainous and difficult to control.
Moreover, Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban authorities of failing to curb Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan fighters based in Afghanistan.
The complex geography and presence of non-state armed groups mean that even a far stronger military may struggle to contain conflict along the frontier.
President Donald Trump said on Sunday Iran could telephone if it want...
The months-long disarmament process involving the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has made little tangible progress, Turkish intellig...
King Charles and Queen Camilla have begun a landmark visit to the U.S., aimed at reinforcing ties between the two allies at a sensitive moment. The...
China is stepping up efforts to boost domestic spending and U.S. retail giant Walmart is expanding across the country to meet demand....
Azerbaijan is expanding its diplomatic and economic footprint amid European energy insecurity and global geopolitical tensions. The Czech Prime Min...
The months-long disarmament process involving the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has made little tangible progress, Turkish intelligence chief İbrahim Kalın has said.
King Charles and Queen Camilla have begun a landmark visit to the U.S., aimed at reinforcing ties between the two allies at a sensitive moment. The trip comes as security concerns rise in Washington and political tensions persist over foreign policy.
China is stepping up efforts to boost domestic spending and U.S. retail giant Walmart is expanding across the country to meet demand.
Afghanistan’s disaster authority says it is working with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to boost emergency response, shelter support and volunteer networks following talks in Kabul on Sunday.
China’s growing use of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles took centre stage at the Beijing Auto Show 2026, which opened on 24 April, highlighting the country’s expanding clean transport ambitions.
U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were rushed out of the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner by Secret Service agents after a 31 year old suspect attempted to storm event.
President Donald Trump said on Sunday Iran could telephone if it wants to negotiate an end to their two-month war. Tehran said the U.S. should remove obstacles to a deal, including its blockade of Iran's ports. Meanwhile Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrives in St Petersburg for talks.
Adidas shares rose after Kenya’s Sebastian Sawe delivered a historic performance at the London Marathon on Sunday (26 April), becoming the first athlete to run an official marathon in under two hours.
Disney+ has debuted Disney Animation’s Songs in Sign Language, a new collection of animated musical sequences reimagined in American Sign Language (ASL), released on 27 April to mark National Deaf History Month.
The months-long disarmament process involving the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has made little tangible progress, Turkish intelligence chief İbrahim Kalın has said.
Azerbaijan is expanding its diplomatic and economic footprint amid European energy insecurity and global geopolitical tensions. The Czech Prime Minister’s 27 April visit to Gabala highlighted growing Azerbaijan–Central Europe cooperation, particularly in energy, industry and defence.
Afghanistan’s disaster authority says it is working with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to boost emergency response, shelter support and volunteer networks following talks in Kabul on Sunday.
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are advancing one of Central Asia’s largest joint energy projects: the construction of the Kambarata HPP-1 hydropower plant on the Naryn River in Kyrgyzstan, with a planned capacity of nearly 2,000 megawatts.
150 senior leaders from the oil and trade industry met in Baku last week for the second annual Caspian and Central Asia Oil Trading and Logistics Forum, as the world grapples with oil and energy shortages linked to the Middle East conflict.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment