Key points
- Afghanistan refuses to recognise historic Durand Line
- Taliban’s inaction allows TTP attacks from Afghan soil
- Pakistan Army captures 19 Afghan posts after clashes
ISLAMABAD: For more than a century, the frontier between Pakistan and Afghanistan has stood as one of the world’s most volatile borders — a rugged, tribal, and deeply politicised line where ethnicity, geography, and ideology converge. From Torkham in Khyber to Angoor Adda in South Waziristan, the two countries have witnessed repeated flare-ups — each rooted in history, but reignited by Afghanistan’s failure to prevent the use of its soil by anti-Pakistan terrorists.
A border born in dispute
The current border dispute stems from the Durand Line Agreement of 1893, signed between Amir Abdur Rahman of Afghanistan and Sir Mortimer Durand, the Foreign Secretary of British India. Contrary to later Afghan claims, historical records confirm that the Amir himself requested the formal demarcation of the frontier and warmly welcomed the British delegation to Kabul. The treaty clearly defined the boundary and was reaffirmed by successive Afghan rulers until 1947.
After Pakistan’s creation, Kabul abruptly reversed its position, opposing Pakistan’s admission to the United Nations and later repudiating the Anglo-Afghan treaties through the Loya Jirga of 1949. Despite this, under international law, Pakistan legally inherited all treaties signed by British India. The Uti Possidetis principle and the Vienna Convention on Succession of States (1978) confirm that recognised boundaries remain permanent unless altered by mutual consent.
While Afghanistan refuses to recognise the Durand Line, no international body or major state supports its claim. The United Kingdom reaffirmed Pakistan’s sovereignty over the frontier in 1956, and no Afghan government has ever dared to contest the border before the International Court of Justice, knowing the historical and legal precedents favour Pakistan.
The Soviet War and a shifting balance
When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979, the border turned into a Cold War frontline. Pakistan became the principal supporter of the Afghan resistance, hosting millions of refugees and facilitating global humanitarian aid. Yet, when the war ended, Islamabad inherited a destabilised region — one where weapons, drugs, and radical networks freely crossed from the Afghan side.
Even during the Taliban’s first rule (1996–2001), Kabul refused to formally recognise the Durand Line, despite Pakistan’s pivotal support. The post-9/11 War on Terror further entrenched the divide: as Pakistan fought militants on its soil, thousands of TTP fighters escaped into Afghan sanctuaries, regrouping with impunity.
Fencing the frontier
In 2017, Pakistan began fencing the entire 2,640-kilometre border, a massive project designed to curb illegal crossings and terrorist infiltration. The move was consistent with international border-security norms — yet the Afghan Taliban repeatedly objected to fence construction and border management, even after returning to power in 2021.
Kabul’s reluctance to cooperate on border control has enabled TTP elements to launch attacks inside Pakistan, targeting both civilians and security forces. Islamabad has repeatedly presented evidence of these groups operating freely from Afghan territory, often with sophisticated weaponry left behind by foreign forces.
Recent escalations: from torkham to Angoor Adda
The latest round of clashes began when Afghan forces opened unprovoked fire on Pakistani positions in Angoor Adda, Kurram, Bajaur, and Chitral. According to security sources, the firing was aimed at facilitating the cross-border movement of terrorists affiliated with the banned TTP, also known as Fitna al-Khawarij.
The Pakistan Army responded decisively, targeting only those positions used for militant activity. Within hours, 19 Afghan border posts were neutralised, and major militant hubs — including Kharcher Fort, Durani Camp, and the Manojaba Battalion Headquarters — were destroyed. More than 50 Afghan soldiers and foreign fighters were reportedly killed, and several Taliban vehicles, including Humvee armoured carriers, were destroyed.
In a symbolic moment, Pakistani troops raised the national flag on captured Afghan posts, a sign of both tactical success and strategic restraint.
Pakistan’s policy: restraint, responsibility, and defence
Islamabad has made clear that its actions are defensive and limited. Pakistan does not target the Afghan population or civilian infrastructure; rather, it responds only to aggression and terrorism emanating from Afghan soil. Officials insist that this confrontation is not a war between two peoples, but a necessary effort to protect Pakistan’s sovereignty and citizens.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly urged the Afghan Interim Government to prevent the TTP and other militant factions from operating across the border, warning that continued inaction could destabilise the entire region.
Regional concern and international support
The escalation has alarmed regional stakeholders. Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Qatar have called for restraint and dialogue. Yet, there is growing recognition that Pakistan’s grievances are legitimate — that no sovereign state can tolerate repeated incursions or cross-border terrorism.
Diplomatic analysts in Islamabad stress that Pakistan’s strategic patience has limits, and that Kabul must demonstrate genuine control over militant groups sheltering on its territory. “Pakistan seeks peace, not provocation,” one senior security official said, “but it will not allow its sovereignty to be challenged.”
The frontier of fire
From the trade gate at Torkham to the dusty ridges of Angoor Adda, the border remains a theatre where history, mistrust, and militancy intersect. Pakistan’s message is clear: peace is possible only if Afghanistan fulfils its responsibility — to recognise the frontier, curb terrorism, and stop its forces from provoking conflict.
Until then, this rugged line of mountains and deserts will remain both a border of nations — and a boundary of unfinished peace.
