Rising tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan as border clashes escalate

Tensions along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border continue to escalate, with the latest clash occurring on Sunday near the Torkham border crossing. According to Afghan media outlet Tolo News, Afghan border forces were building a bunker for their armored vehicles when Pakistani troops opened fire. Pakistan has yet to issue a statement on the incident.

This clash marks the latest in a series of border skirmishes that have grown increasingly frequent since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in 2021.

Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan reached a peak in December 2024, when Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghan territory resulted in the deaths of dozens. Hostilities have persisted into 2025, with Pakistan repeatedly conducting airstrikes within Afghanistan. Islamabad claims these operations target sanctuaries of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group it accuses of carrying out attacks on Pakistani soil. However, these incursions have become a major point of contention between the two nations, further straining their already fragile relationship.

Adding to the strain is Pakistan’s large-scale repatriation of Afghan refugees. Since Pakistan’s crackdown on undocumented migrants began in late 2023, the Associated Press reports that an estimated 800,000 Afghans have been repatriated. Over the weekend, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation issued a statement accusing Pakistan of forcibly deporting Afghan refugees. The ministry further alleged that Pakistani police have been conducting night raids on Afghan refugees  homes and subjecting them to mistreatment. This has further exacerbated tensions between the two nations has complicating bilateral relations. 

At the heart of these tensions lies the long-standing border dispute between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Like previous Afghan governments, the Taliban does not recognize the Durand Line as an official boundary. The Durand Line, a 2,670-kilometer border drawn by the British in 1893, has been a contentious issue for over a century. Afghanistan has historically contested its legitimacy, arguing that it divides ethnic Pashtun communities and was imposed under colonial rule.

In contrast, Afghanistan’s relations with other neighboring countries, particularly Iran and Central Asian nations, have been increasingly focused on trade and connectivity. Afghanistan is actively working to strengthen infrastructure ties, including the development of railway links with Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran. These efforts aim to enhance regional trade and economic integration. As a result, Afghanistan’s trade with these countries has been steadily growing, marking a significant shift toward fostering economic partnerships and improving regional cooperation.

Over the weekend, Iran’s acting ambassador to Afghanistan, Alireza Bikdeli, emphasized that Iran’s key policy priority is the development of well-established communication routes with Afghanistan. He stated that such infrastructure would facilitate the smooth movement of people, support trade for merchants, and enable the efficient transportation of goods and vehicles between the two countries.

As tensions with Pakistan persist, Afghanistan’s diplomatic and economic engagements with its other neighbors have emerged as a crucial factor in shaping the region’s stability.

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