Pakistan-Afghanistan Tensions: What Are Key Reasons Behind Conflict Along The Border? Explained

Pakistan-Afghanistan Tensions: A fresh tension erupted between Pakistan and Afghanistan after Islamabad conducted airstrikes on Kabul, hours after Afghan forces launched along the Pak border. Pakistan asserted that the attacks were on the militant sites operating against Islamabad; however, Afghanistan said that civilian regions were also targeted in the attacks. Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), declared an "open war" between the two neighbouring nations.

What's The Issue Between Pakistan and Afghanistan

- Pakistan, on numerous occasions, has said that the leadership of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is based in Afghanistan. It has accused Kabul of granting resources to the militant group, which is behind several deadly attacks in Pakistan, including the attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar in December 2014.

- Pakistan has also asserted that Afghanistan also backs armed insurgents seeking independence for the southwestern province of Balochistan. As per Armed Conflict Location & Event Data, militancy in Pakistan has increased severely every year since 2022.

- The two neighbouring nations also have disagreements on the 2,611-km Durand Line, a border Afghanistan has never formally recognised.

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- Pakistan has also deported thousands of Afghan refugees in recent years, escalating the tensions.

- Afghanistan is a landlocked country and is heavily dependent on Iran and Pakistan for trade purposes. Its relations with Pakistan have soured after Islamabad has refused Indian exports to go through this route, leading to anger among the residents in Afghanistan.

- Historically, Afghan governments and peoples have accused Pakistan of exploitation, especially since their monarchical system was overthrown

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Afghanistan’s government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated that Kabul has launched an attack in response to "insurrections" of the Pakistani military. "In response to the repeated rebellions and insurrections of the Pakistani military, large-scale offensive operations were launched against Pakistani military bases and military installations along the Durand Line," Mujahid asserted in his post on X.