Afghanistan–Pakistan Tensions Flare Into Multi-Province Confrontation
TAD Staff
Clashes along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border escalated earlier this week, with fighting first reported on Tuesday afternoon in eastern Afghanistan. Initial exchanges took place in the Shakot area of Nazyan district in Nangarhar province, near the Durand Line. The violence soon spread to Achin and Dor Baba districts in Nangarhar and extended across the border into the Zakha Khel area of Pakistan’s Khyber district. Mortar and rocket fire were reportedly exchanged, and both sides were said to have used heavy weapons. At that stage, neither side released confirmed casualty figures.
On Wednesday evening, fighting expanded southward. Clashes broke out in the Maqbal area of Dand Patan district in Paktia province, again along the border. Simultaneously, heavy gunfire was reported across parts of Pakistan’s Khyber and Kurram districts. Reports indicated sustained exchanges of fire in multiple locations, though officials from either side did not immediately confirm casualties.
By Thursday, the confrontation had intensified significantly across several sectors of the frontier. Fighting was reported in Nangarhar, Kunar, Khost, Paktia, and Nuristan provinces. Taliban authorities claimed they had launched large-scale operations and captured up to 15 Pakistani military posts. They further alleged that 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed, while stating that eight Taliban fighters were killed, 11 wounded, and 13 civilians injured. Pakistan rejected those figures, reporting instead that 12 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 27 wounded, and alleging significant Taliban losses. None of these casualty claims were independently verified.
Following the escalation of ground clashes, Pakistan launched airstrikes overnight Thursday into early Friday across multiple Afghan provinces. In Kabul, residents reported loud explosions in neighborhoods including Wazir Akbar Khan, Makroyan, Chehel Sutoon, Arzan Qimat, Darul Aman, Khushal Khan, and areas near the airport. No confirmed casualty figures were released from the capital.
In Kandahar, strikes were reported in several parts of the city, at Kandahar Airport, and in Spin Boldak district near the Pakistani border. Among the reported targets was the former home of Mullah Omar, the late founder of the Taliban, which sources described as serving as a base for a Taliban suicide unit. The property was said to be located approximately one kilometer from a residence associated with Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. One local source reported that approximately 15 Taliban members were killed in Kandahar, though this figure was not independently confirmed.
Additional airstrikes were reported in Gardez, the capital of Paktia province; in Hisarak district of Nangarhar; in Marawara and Shultan districts of Kunar; and in parts of Khost province. Pakistani officials stated that operations continued until 3:45 a.m. local time and targeted Taliban command centers and ammunition depots. Pakistan claimed that 133 Taliban fighters were killed, more than 200 wounded, 27 posts destroyed, and nine captured, along with the destruction of more than 80 pieces of military equipment, including tanks and artillery systems. Taliban officials denied those casualty claims.
On Friday, a second wave of strikes and renewed fighting was reported in eastern Afghanistan. In Laghman province, fighter jets were said to have targeted the Taliban’s 201st Khalid bin Walid Corps in the Gambiri area around midday. No confirmed casualty figures were released from that strike. In Paktika province, airstrikes reportedly hit parts of Shkin district early Friday, including a residential house, with reports of casualties that were not independently verified. Argun district in Paktika was also reportedly targeted, with claims that Taliban border units were struck.
In Paktia province, warplanes were reported to have hit a Taliban border brigade facility in Gardez around midday. Residents described aircraft overhead and smoke rising from a building following the strike. Additional explosions were reported in Goshta district of Nangarhar province and in areas linked to Nari district in Kunar province, though casualty details from those locations were not confirmed.
Ground fighting also resumed on Friday along several sections of the frontier. Clashes were reported in Zazi Maidan, Alisher, and Tere Zayi districts of Khost province, as well as in Dand Patan district of Paktia province. Additional fighting was reported in parts of Nangarhar. Heavy gunfire was described in multiple areas, indicating sustained exchanges along the border.
Later on Friday night, Taliban officials said their forces carried out retaliatory strikes inside Pakistan. According to statements from Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid and the Taliban Ministry of Defense, targets included a military camp near Faizabad in Islamabad, the army cantonment in Nowshera, the Jamrud military colony, and a military facility in Abbottabad. One account stated the strikes occurred around 11:00 p.m. Pakistan denied that Afghan Taliban forces were responsible for drone incidents in Islamabad and Abbottabad, attributing them instead to the TTP. Pakistani officials said anti-drone systems intercepted and destroyed the drones and reported no casualties. Security was heightened in Karachi, with expanded patrols and increased protection at airports, railway stations, and other sensitive sites.
Overall, the week’s fighting has spanned a wide geographic area. In Afghanistan, reported locations include Kabul, Kandahar, Spin Boldak, Gardez, Dand Patan, Shakin, Argun, Nazyan, Achin, Dor Baba, Goshta, Marawara, Shultan, Zazi Maidan, Alisher, Tere Zayi, and parts of Khost and Nuristan. In Pakistan, reported affected areas include Khyber district (including Zakha Khel), Kurram district, Islamabad, Abbottabad, Nowshera, and Jamrud.
Casualty figures from both sides remain contested and independently unverified. The escalation has involved cross-border artillery exchanges, airstrikes on military installations, reported targeting of symbolic Taliban sites, and claims of retaliatory drone or air operations inside Pakistan. As of the latest reports, fighting and heightened military activity continue along multiple sections of the border.
Fighting is expected to continue in the coming days. Those in border areas, as well as in Kabul and Kandahar, should exercise caution, as further drone strikes, heavy artillery exchanges, and airstrikes are possible. All civilians are advised to avoid government offices, airports, and military installations at this time. The risk of civilian casualties remains high. Fighting is ongoing, and the Afghan Digest will provide full details and analysis in its regular weekly edition.