Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have erupted once again after Pakistan airstrikes in Kandahar killed over 50 people, including civilians and Taliban fighters, following a series of deadly border clashes near the Spin Boldak–Chaman crossing.
The attacks mark one of the deadliest cross-border escalations since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, raising fears of a wider regional conflict that could destabilize South Asia.
Clashes Erupt Along the Border
According to military sources, the latest fighting began late Friday when Afghan border forces opened fire on Pakistani troops near Chaman, a key crossing point in Balochistan province.
Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the assault resulted in “multiple casualties” among Pakistani soldiers and civilians. In retaliation, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) jets carried out precision airstrikes targeting what Islamabad described as “terrorist sanctuaries” inside Afghanistan’s Kandahar province.
“Pakistan was forced to take proportionate action in self-defense,” a government statement read, adding that several militant hideouts “affiliated with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)” were destroyed.
Eyewitnesses in Kandahar’s Spin Boldak and Daman districts, however, reported that bombs struck residential areas, killing at least 27 civilians, including women and children.
Taliban Condemns ‘Violation of Sovereignty’
The Taliban-led Afghan government has strongly condemned the airstrikes, calling them a “blatant violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty”.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s chief spokesperson, stated:
“Pakistan has crossed the line. We will not tolerate attacks on our soil. The Islamic Emirate reserves the right to respond appropriately.”
Taliban authorities also summoned Pakistan’s envoy in Kabul, demanding an immediate end to military operations and threatening “serious consequences” if further incursions occur.
Local Afghan media reported that Taliban reinforcements have been deployed to border districts, with fighters taking defensive positions around Kandahar Airfield and nearby checkpoints.
Casualties Mount as Crisis Deepens
Officials from both sides confirmed that more than 50 people have been killed so far — including at least 18 Pakistani soldiers and 32 Afghans, among them Taliban border guards and civilians.
Hospitals in Chaman and Kandahar City are reportedly overwhelmed with injured people, while hundreds of families have fled the border region amid fears of more air raids.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has urged restraint and called for an independent investigation into the incident.
“Civilians must never be the target of military action,” UNAMA said in a statement, urging both nations to resolve disputes through dialogue rather than force.
TTP Connection and Pakistan’s Security Concerns
The Pakistan airstrikes in Kandahar follow months of rising attacks by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a banned militant group that Islamabad claims operates freely from Afghan soil.
Pakistani officials allege that Kandahar and Khost provinces have become safe havens for TTP fighters who cross the border to launch ambushes on security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
A senior Pakistani intelligence officer said:
“We have evidence of TTP leadership holding meetings in Kandahar. The Taliban government has failed to act against them, leaving us no choice but to respond militarily.”
The Taliban, however, denies harboring TTP fighters, insisting that “Afghanistan does not allow anyone to use its soil against neighbors.”
International Reaction: US, China, and Iran Call for Calm
The United States, while avoiding direct criticism of Pakistan, urged both nations to exercise restraint and prevent further loss of life.
“The situation along the Durand Line is deeply concerning. We call on both sides to prioritize dialogue,” said U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.
China and Iran, both regional stakeholders, also voiced concern over the escalation. Beijing emphasized the importance of “regional stability and counterterrorism cooperation,” while Tehran warned that “any further violence will have humanitarian consequences.”
Analysts say that both Washington and Beijing are wary of Afghanistan’s instability spilling over into neighboring regions, especially amid ongoing U.S.-China competition and Pakistan’s fragile economy.
Public Reaction and Political Fallout in Pakistan
Domestically, the Pakistan airstrikes in Kandahar have triggered mixed reactions. Supporters of the military view the operation as a necessary measure against cross-border terrorism, while critics accuse the government of provoking another security crisis.
Opposition leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari questioned the timing of the strikes:
“At a time when Pakistan faces economic turmoil and internal divisions, opening another front is dangerous and irresponsible.”
The Pakistani media has been largely supportive of the military action, framing it as part of a broader counterterror campaign. However, human rights groups within the country have demanded transparency regarding civilian casualties.
Afghanistan-Pakistan Tensions: A Longstanding Dispute
The Durand Line, a 2,640-kilometer border dividing Afghanistan and Pakistan, has been a source of conflict for decades. The Taliban government in Kabul refuses to officially recognize it, often resulting in armed skirmishes between border guards.
Last year, similar confrontations near Torkham left several civilians dead, while trade routes were temporarily shut down, affecting bilateral commerce worth millions of dollars daily.
Security experts warn that the current escalation could derail fragile diplomatic backchannels and undermine regional anti-terror cooperation.
Conclusion
The Pakistan airstrikes in Kandahar represent one of the gravest confrontations between the two neighbors since the Taliban’s return to power. With both sides trading blame and reinforcing their borders, fears of a full-scale conflict are mounting.
The tragedy underscores the urgent need for diplomatic engagement, cross-border coordination, and humanitarian oversight to prevent further bloodshed.
As one Afghan villager in Spin Boldak told local media, “We are trapped between two wars — one without borders, and one without peace.”