Why Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations Cannot Afford Further Escalation

Pakistan’s recent air strikes inside Afghanistan and terrorist organizations using Afghan soil to conduct cross-border terrorism have once again pushed the region towards instability and chaos.

Escalating Cross-Border Strikes and Rising Tensions

According to the Pakistani officials, these operations were conducted in response to the repeated cross-border activities by the TTP and ISIL*. These terrorist organizations have been using the Afghan soil to conduct terrorism in Pakistan. Since the Taliban’s return to power in Kabul, the TTP, Baloch Liberation Army, and ISIL have taken shelter in Afghanistan. These organizations use the Afghan soil to target tactical and strategic targets deep inside Pakistan. Some of these organizations are allegedly funded by Pakistan’s regional and extra-regional rivals.

Islamabad has repeatedly raised its concerns about terrorist organizations operating from Afghanistan. However, Kabul has remained reluctant to take any solid action against them due to ideological symmetry and their past assistance to the Afghan Taliban against the US and NATO forces. This reluctance led to border clashes between the two sides in the past. In October 2025, Pakistan conducted airstrikes in Jalalabad, Khost, Kabul, and Paktika – targeting the TTP commanders. This attack led to severe border tensions.

Pakistan has seen a significant surge........

© New Eastern Outlook