Can new Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions lead to another border clash?
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated following a series of attacks attributed to the Pakistan Taliban (TTP), prompting Islamabad to accuse Kabul of harboring militants. Despite a temporary ceasefire brokered by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkiye, and China in March, both sides have continued cross-border strikes, including a deadly Pakistani attack on a drug rehabilitation center. The ongoing hostilities raise concerns about the potential for renewed conflict and the feasibility of long-term peace between the two nations.
- ▪Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been tense since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in 2021.
- ▪Pakistan summoned a senior Afghan diplomat after the TTP claimed responsibility for multiple attacks on its security forces.
- ▪The recent violence began with a major border skirmish in February 2026, followed by mediation from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkiye, and China.
- ▪Pakistan conducted a strike on a drug rehabilitation center in Afghanistan, killing over 250 people.
- ▪Afghanistan denies supporting the TTP, which Pakistan blames for the attacks.
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play videoplay videoVideo Duration 28 minutes 00 seconds play-arrow28:00Inside StoryCan new Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions lead to another border clash?Both sides target each other despite a pause in fighting mediated in March.Read moreRelations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been tense since the Taliban took power in 2021.On Monday, Pakistan summoned a senior Afghan diplomat after an attack claimed by the Pakistan Taliban, known by the acronym TPP. The group said it carried out two more attacks since, mostly against security forces.Islamabad accuses Kabul of backing the fighters, which it denies.The latest violence started with a major border skirmish in February.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera.
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