A New Pak-Afghan War

Tensions have sharply escalated along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border following what Islamabad has described as an unprovoked and coordinated cross-border attack originating from Afghan territory.

According to the Pakistan Armed Forces, minor-level but coordinated kinetic action was initiated from the Afghan side, targeting several border posts.

In a swift and measured response, Pakistani forces launched what military officials called a “proportional, multi-domain retaliation,” engaging and neutralizing hostile positions across the border. 19 Afghan border posts were reportedly destroyed in retaliatory artillery fire.

A statement from Pakistan’s military leadership alleged that this aggression is part of a wider strategy backed by Indian intelligence to support Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants and destabilize Pakistan’s western frontier.

“Afghanistan has sadly become a breeding ground for terrorism, exporting instability to the region,” said a senior Pakistani defense official. “Our forces have delivered a strong and deserved response.”

The situation remains volatile, with Pakistan rejecting a ceasefire announcement reportedly issued by Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Islamabad maintains that military operations will continue until all threats along the border are neutralized.

The Pakistani forces have been carrying out a strong and effective retaliatory attack since last night in response to Afghanistan’s unprovoked firing. Taliban soldier surrendering himself to the Pakistan Army at an Afghan post that was taken over.

Enayatullah Khwarizmi, the spokesperson for the Afghan Ministry of Defence, said late on Saturday that Taliban forces had carried out “successful retaliatory” attacks against Pakistani soldiers in response to the neighbouring country’s “repeated violations” of, and air strikes on, Afghan territory.

He said on X that the operation had ended at midnight.

Pakistani Minister of Interior Mohsin Naqvi called the Afghan attacks “unprovoked” and said that Pakistani forces were responding “with a stone for every brick”.

“Firing by Afghan forces on civilian population is a blatant violation of international laws. Pakistan’s brave forces have given a prompt and effective response that no provocation will be tolerated,” he said in a post on X.

Meanwhile, regional stakeholders have expressed concern over the escalating violence. Saudi Arabia and Qatar have both issued statements urging restraint and the immediate de-escalation of hostilities.

Both countries reaffirmed their support for regional peace efforts and emphasized the need for dialogue between Islamabad and Kabul to resolve tensions.