Pakistan conducted airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Kabul and provinces of Kandahar and Paktia early Friday, hours after Afghanistan launched a retaliatory cross-border attack on Pakistan, escalating tensions between the two nations. The strikes, confirmed by Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, mark a significant escalation in a conflict rooted in decades of border disputes.
The Afghan military’s attack on Pakistani territory late Thursday was presented as a response to Pakistani airstrikes in Afghan border areas on Sunday. Afghan officials claimed to have captured more than a dozen Pakistani army posts, a claim Pakistan’s government dismissed as unprovoked and inaccurate.
At least three explosions were heard in Kabul, with no immediate reports on casualties or specific targets. The strikes in Kandahar and Paktia further broadened the scope of the conflict, raising concerns about regional stability.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has urged both Pakistan and Afghanistan to exercise restraint and prioritize diplomatic solutions. Through his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, Guterres called on Islamabad and Kabul to seek resolution through diplomacy and adhere to international law, particularly regarding the protection of civilians.
The escalating violence centers around the Durand Line, a 2,640-kilometer border established in 1893 by British India’s Foreign Secretary Mortimer Durand and the Afghan Emir Abdur Rahman Khan. While Pakistan recognizes the Durand Line as its international border, Afghanistan has never formally accepted it. The line bisects Pashtun and Baloch communities, contributing to long-standing disputes and fueling cross-border tensions.
The recent exchange began with Pakistani airstrikes targeting militants allegedly harbored in Afghanistan. Pakistan’s government stated these strikes were aimed at militants, but Afghanistan views them as a violation of its sovereignty.
Guterres, according to the UN, has expressed concern over the border clashes and acknowledged the mediation efforts undertaken by various international states in recent months. The UN emphasized the obligation to protect non-combatants, a principle of International Humanitarian Law, and reiterated its willingness to support initiatives aimed at de-escalation.
The situation remains fluid, with no immediate indication of a ceasefire or renewed dialogue. Qatar had previously mediated a ceasefire agreement between the two countries, but the current escalation casts doubt on its effectiveness. The UN has not announced any new mediation efforts as of Friday afternoon.
