The security situation took an exceptionally alarming turn after the fall of Kabul in August 2021 and the return of the Afghan Taliban to power. Initial Pakistani optimism, based on the naive hope for genuine security cooperation and controlled cross-border movement, quickly faded into profound disappointment. Contrary to Pakistan’s clear expectations and the Taliban’s explicit claims that Afghan territory would never be used against any other country, the Afghan Taliban either failed or outright refused to take decisive and verifiable action against TTP sanctuaries. Their persistent inaction suggested a worrying tacit tolerance of the TTP’s presence, with deep tribal and ideological linkages between the groups often leading the Taliban leadership to look the other way rather than confront an entity that had fought alongside them for decades. Under this protective umbrella, the TTP not only reestablished its command structure but also significantly intensified its operations against Pakistan. The 2022 ceasefire talks, mediated by the Afghan Taliban, ultimately failed, with the TTP using the negotiation period to tactically reposition itself, expand its ideological outreach, and recruit new members. Following the breakdown, the TTP launched a renewed, more frequent, organized, and exponentially lethal wave of violence—including complex ambushes on security forces and devastating bombings—all facilitated by the secure safe havens it continues to enjoy in Afghanistan.
The ideological dimension remains critical and problematic: while the Afghan Taliban claim a purely nationalist focus confined to Afghanistan, the TTP’s agenda is explicitly transnational, seeking a violent overthrow and the imposition of an Islamic emirate in Pakistan. Yet, both groups share historical training grounds, theological frameworks, and deep tribal kinship networks. These deep, shared bonds make it exceedingly difficult for the Taliban regime to treat the TTP as a hostile entity under pressure from Pakistan. Consequently, the TTP operates with relative impunity, establishing training camps in eastern Afghanistan, and launching asymmetric warfare against Pakistani security forces. It is indeed deeply unfortunate that the Afghan Taliban-led government appears to be forgetting the long and truly substantial kindnesses extended by Pakistan. In direct contrast to supporting Pakistan in eliminating terrorism, the current regime is allegedly actively supporting the TTP, a group described as Fitna al Khawarij in the region, and other terrorist elements in carrying out attacks inside Pakistan. Furthermore, the Afghan Taliban and the Afghan de facto government are worryingly seen to be strategically aligned with India, having recently joined hands against Pakistan. The recent visit of the Taliban’s Foreign Minister to India, where he met with top Indian leadership, is perceived by Pakistan as an unmistakable sign of this detrimental alignment against its core national interests.
This severe security situation culminated in recent military aggression beginning on the night of October 11-12, 2025, when Afghan Taliban fighters, reportedly joined by groups like “Fitna al-Khawarij” and elements described as “Fitna al Hindustan,” launched unprovoked attacks along various segments of the extensive Pak-Afghan border. These were deliberate and coordinated provocations, including heavy gunfire, raids on remote outposts, cross-border shelling, and attempts to strategically destabilize border areas, all aimed at creating strategic space for terrorism and undermining Pakistani border security infrastructure. The aggression resulted in the tragic martyrdom of 23 Pakistani security personnel and left dozens injured. In response, Pakistan’s retaliatory counter-operations reportedly killed more than 200 Taliban/militant elements, and successfully destroyed or rendered inoperative several terrorist hideouts, camps, and supporting logistical infrastructure on Afghan soil. Pakistani forces briefly captured 21 hostile positions along the border, signifying a robust, coordinated offensive counter-measure that demonstrated a strong capacity for defense and retaliation.
In response to these serious incursions, Pakistan has taken a robust, multi-faceted approach that is both military and diplomatic. Militarily, the security forces—including the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps, and other border agencies—have launched extensive counter-operations targeting militant training camps, hideouts, outposts, and logistical infrastructure believed to be operating from Afghan territory, exercising the absolute right to self-defense under international law and inflicting heavy losses on militant elements while destroying several Afghan posts implicated in the aggression. These were sustained and coordinated operations, not mere isolated border skirmishes. Politically, Pakistan’s leadership, from the Prime Minister to provincial leaders, has universally rallied behind the military, publicly framing the response as absolutely necessary to uphold national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly praised the army’s “robust and effective reply,” unequivocally vowing no compromise on Pakistan’s defense and warning that any future provocation would be met with an even fuller, effective response. The President has publicly called on the Afghan interim government to take verifiable and concrete measures to permanently eliminate terrorist sanctuaries. Diplomatic action has included lodging formal protests and raising the matter through foreign ministry channels, emphasizing issues of international law, cross-border terrorism, and the absolute necessity for Afghanistan to act against groups operating from its soil. As a means of applying pressure and signaling the seriousness of its stance, Pakistan has also closed major and minor border crossings like Torkham and Chaman, effectively halting trade and civilian transit, which serves as a powerful diplomatic tool.
Pakistan has utilized media and public messaging to firmly establish a narrative that the aggression was unprovoked, that the state paid a heavy price in blood and sacrifice, and that the Afghan side must take demonstrable responsibility. Political leaders have called for national unity, emphasizing the non-negotiable defense of sovereignty and demanding the Afghan government hand over or neutralize anti-Pakistan terrorist groups, particularly the TTP and any “India-backed” or “Fitna-al Hindustan” elements. Beyond immediate retaliatory actions, Pakistan has strategically sought international and regional support, appealing for mediation and a clearly defined mechanism by which Kabul would dismantle terrorist infrastructure in a verifiable manner. Pakistan insists, quite logically, that lasting peace is impossible if terrorists continue to enjoy safe havens, supply lines, finance, and command structures across the border. Prior to the latest flare-up, Pakistan had consistently raised these issues with Afghan authorities, demanding practical steps like intelligence sharing, action to dismantle terror camps, and controlling infiltration. In terms of operational readiness, Pakistan has placed its troops on high alert along the entire border, reinforcing posts and tightening all security measures. The political leadership has been emphatic that while Pakistan desires peaceful, good-neighborly relations, it will not tolerate threats to its territory or people. The clear message is that the country is prepared to defend itself using both kinetic military power and political/diplomatic tools to secure its interests. For the Pakistani nation, the Afghan Taliban-led government has, through its actions, proven itself deeply ungrateful for the long and extensive kindnesses shown by Pakistan. Moreover, analysts widely believe this Taliban-led government does not truly represent the will or enjoy the broad support of the majority of the Afghan people, ruling instead by force and coercion. Most Afghan people are understood to acknowledge and appreciate Pakistan’s past kindnesses and sacrifices, recognizing Pakistan as a peaceful country that does not initiate aggression against its Islamic brothers but reserves the full, non-negotiable right to respond when provoked.
Pakistan’s stance remains resolute: any entity involved in aggression or in hosting, supporting, and facilitating terrorist groups against Pakistan will be dealt with decisively and comprehensively. The Pakistani nation proudly and fully supports the brave actions of the Pak Army to secure the nation’s integrity and peace.
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