- Pakistan and Afghanistan entered a state of open war after the escalation of long-standing border tensions.
- Operation: Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab Lil Haq, targeting Afghan military installations in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia.
- Afghan Retaliation: Afghanistan conducted air strikes on Nur Khan Airbase (Rawalpindi) and 12th Division headquarters (Quetta).
- India’s Stand: India condemned Pakistan’s military actions and reaffirmed support for Afghan sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence.
Factors Behind Afghanistan-Pakistan Open War
- TTP Sanctuary: The Afghan Taliban’s alleged sheltering of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has allowed the group to launch cross-border attacks on Pakistan.
- Border Dispute: By refusing to recognise the Durand Line, the Taliban keeps the colonial border a live flashpoint between the two countries.
- Fence Clashes: Afghan forces’ resistance to Pakistan’s 2,600 km border fencing has escalated into direct military clashes at disputed checkpoints.
- Lost Leverage: The Taliban’s post-2021 diplomatic and economic proximity to India has eroded Pakistan’s strategic influence over its western neighbour.
- Backfired Pressure: Repeated closures of the Torkham crossing have pushed Kabul toward Iranian trade routes, deepening the bilateral rift.
Key Implications for India
- LoC Relief: Escalation along the western border may compel Pakistan to reduce infiltration pressure along the Line of Control (LoC).
- Terror Spillover: Prolonged instability risks allowing Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) to regroup and expand its footprint across South Asia.
- Connectivity Risks: Ongoing conflict jeopardises India’s access to the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and its Central Asian trade outreach.
- Refugee Pressure: A full-scale conflict risks a mass Afghan refugee inflow, putting direct pressure on India’s borders and foreign policy.
About Durand Line
- Durand Line is the ~2,640-km international boundary between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
- Origin: It is named after Sir Mortimer Durand, the British diplomat who signed the 1893 agreement with Afghan ruler Amir Abdur Rahman Khan.
- Dispute: Pakistan recognises the Durand Line as a permanent international border, but successive Afghan governments dispute its legitimacy.
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Read More > Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Clashes
Source: (IE)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Operation Ghazab Lil Haq?
Operation Ghazab Lil Haq is Pakistan’s military offensive targeting Afghan installations in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia.
What is India’s stand on the Afghanistan–Pakistan conflict?
India condemned Pakistan’s actions and reaffirmed support for Afghan sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence.
Who created the Durand Line?
The Durand Line was established in 1893 through an agreement between Sir Mortimer Durand and Amir Abdur Rahman Khan.
How has the Taliban’s foreign policy shift affected Pakistan?
The Taliban’s growing diplomatic and economic proximity to India has reduced Pakistan’s strategic leverage.
