Intense clashes broke out along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border late Saturday night, following a reported Pakistani airstrike in Kabul earlier last week.

Reuters reported on October 11 that both sides exchanged heavy fire across multiple locations, with each accusing the other of initiating the conflict.

Pakistani security officials claimed that Afghan Taliban fighters launched an unprovoked attack on their border posts, prompting Pakistani forces to respond “with full force.”  They reported firefights at more than six locations along the 2,600-kilometer border.

In contrast, Taliban officials said their forces had seized three Pakistani border posts in retaliation for what they described as a violation of Afghan airspace. Pakistani officials countered by saying their military had destroyed several Afghan positions.

Taliban claims retaliation for airspace violation

According to Reuters, Enayatullah Khowarazmi, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense, said the attack was in direct response to a recent Pakistani airstrike targeting Kabul. He stated the Taliban operation concluded at midnight local time and warned that Afghan forces are ready to respond again if their airspace is breached.

There was no immediate response from Pakistan on whether the clashes had ended. The border runs for 2,600 kilometers, Reuters noted. 

Underlying tensions and regional rivalries

Tensions along the border have been simmering for months, with Islamabad accusing the Afghan Taliban of sheltering militants from the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), who are allegedly supported by India—an accusation New Delhi firmly denies.  The Taliban maintain they do not allow Afghan territory to be used against any other nation.

The latest violence comes amid a broader diplomatic shift.  Last week, the Taliban’s foreign minister visited India—the first high-level visit since the group regained control in 2021—raising alarm in Islamabad over deepening ties between New Delhi and Kabul.

The Pakistani airstrike that allegedly triggered the latest violence reportedly targeted a senior TTP leader traveling in a vehicle in Kabul, according to Pakistani security sources quoted by Reuters.