A summary of recent cross-border military actions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, marked by airstrikes, ground clashes, and a sharp rise in tensions.
A series of cross-border military actions between Pakistan and Afghanistan has led to a significant escalation in tensions, with both sides reporting casualties and trading accusations. The conflict, rooted in disputes over militant safe havens and the legitimacy of the border, has seen airstrikes, ground operations, and artillery exchanges. Diplomatic interventions, including ceasefires and peace talks in China, Qatar, and Turkey, have produced temporary pauses in fighting but no lasting resolution.
Timeline of Key Events
Late 2024
- December 25: Pakistan conducted airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan, targeting hideouts of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its affiliate, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar. The strikes followed a December 24 attack on paramilitary Rangers headquarters in Karachi that killed three Pakistani soldiers. Pakistan reported 25 militants killed. The Afghan government reported civilian casualties, stating the strikes hit civilian areas.
Early 2025
- Early February: A suicide bomber attacked a Shia mosque in Islamabad, resulting in 36 deaths and 170 injuries.
- Late February: An explosives-laden vehicle attacked a security post in Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing 11 soldiers and one child.
- February 19: Pakistan summoned the Afghan deputy head of mission in Islamabad to protest recent attacks.
- February 21: Pakistani airstrikes targeted alleged TTP hideouts in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan reported at least 13 civilian deaths.
- Late February: Pakistan conducted airstrikes in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia provinces. Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif characterized the situation as "open war."
- Late February/Early March: Afghan forces launched a cross-border attack into Pakistan, which they described as retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes. Heavy clashes were reported along the border.
- March 1: An attempted strike on Bagram Air Base north of Kabul was reported by Afghanistan. Afghan authorities stated they used anti-aircraft systems to repel the attack.
- March 2: Heavy fighting was reported in Khost province, with local sources indicating at least 20 civilians killed.
- Late March: A mortar fired from Afghanistan impacted a home in Bajaur, Pakistan, killing at least four family members.
- Late March: Pakistan struck locations in Kandahar province, targeting "equipment storage facilities" according to Pakistan, and a security guard site and drug rehabilitation center according to Afghanistan.
- March-April: A pause in hostilities was announced for the Islamic festival of Eid al-Fitr and requested by Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Clashes later resumed.
Conflicting Casualty Claims
Throughout the conflict, both governments have issued conflicting casualty figures.
Pakistan's Claims:
- Security forces killed 29 militants during an operation along the Afghanistan border.
- Airstrikes killed approximately 80 militants across seven camps.
- More than 270 Afghan Taliban fighters were killed in a Friday assault.
- 133 Afghan Taliban fighters were killed and over 200 wounded in a series of strikes.
- 12 Pakistani soldiers killed and 27 wounded in operations.
Afghanistan's Claims:
- 13 civilians (11 children, one woman, one elderly man) were killed and 14 wounded in Pakistani airstrikes.
- 36 civilians were killed and over 160 wounded in ground operations and airstrikes.
- 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed and several captured during border operations.
- Over 400 people were killed in a Pakistani airstrike on a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul.
- Dozens of civilians, including women and children, were killed in strikes on Nangarhar and Paktika provinces.
- 55 civilian deaths resulted from Pakistani strikes across multiple provinces since late February.
Note: Many of these casualty figures have not been independently verified.
Core Points of Contention
- Safe Havens for Militants: Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its affiliates, including Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, which carry out attacks inside Pakistan. Afghanistan denies these allegations, stating it does not permit its territory to be used for attacks against other countries and that militancy is Pakistan's domestic problem.
- The Durand Line: The 1,600-mile border, established in 1893, is recognized as Pakistan's western border but is not accepted as a legitimate boundary by Afghanistan. This dispute has contributed to historical tensions, exacerbated by Pakistan's construction of fences and military posts along the frontier.
- Cross-Border Attacks: Both sides have reported attacks from the other's territory, including suicide bombings, artillery fire, and drone incursions. Pakistan reported that captured assailants were identified as Afghan nationals, while Afghanistan reported civilian homes and refugee camps being hit by Pakistani mortar and drone fire.
Diplomatic Efforts
Multiple rounds of internationally mediated talks have sought to de-escalate the conflict:
- Ceasefire Mediations: A Qatari-mediated ceasefire was established in October 2024 following deadly border clashes. This ceasefire largely held but broke down after renewed hostilities in late February 2025. Turkey also participated in mediation efforts.
- China-Mediated Talks: In early 2025, peace talks were held in Urumqi, China, with Beijing acting as mediator. Pakistan confirmed its participation, stating the success of talks depends on Afghanistan demonstrating verifiable action against terrorist groups.
- Previous Negotiations: Earlier rounds of peace talks in Qatar and Turkey had led to a ceasefire that was largely maintained until the February 2025 strikes.
Other Impacts
- Border Closure: The border between the two countries has been largely closed since October 2024 due to tension and cross-border fighting, disrupting trade and transportation and stranding thousands of people.
- Civilian Displacement: The UN reported at least 146 civilian casualties (including 42 deaths) between February 26 and March 2, and 8,400 internally displaced persons in Afghanistan. Flooding in March-April destroyed 130 homes and affected 1,140 families.
- Refugee Situation: Pakistan initiated a program in October 2023 to expel undocumented migrants, resulting in millions of people returning to Afghanistan. The UN refugee agency reported 2.9 million returns in the previous year, with nearly 80,000 returning in the first months of the current year.
- Regional Context: The conflict has occurred alongside other regional and global tensions, including the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict. International bodies including the UN, EU, Russia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, China, Qatar, Turkey, and the UK have called for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy.
International Reactions
- United Nations: Secretary-General António Guterres urged both sides to protect civilians in accordance with international law and to seek diplomatic resolution for their differences.
- China: Expressed deep concern, urged dialogue, and offered to mediate.
- Russia: Urged both sides to cease cross-border strikes and return to dialogue, offering mediation if requested.
- India: Condemned Pakistan's airstrikes, calling the action an attempt to "externalise its internal failures."
- Iran: Encouraged dialogue and offered support for a resolution process.
- Turkey: Engaged in separate discussions with counterparts from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
- Saudi Arabia: Called for calm, restraint, and a return to negotiations.
- United Kingdom: Called for immediate steps towards de-escalation and a return to mediated dialogue.