Pakistan–Afghan Taliban Armed Conflict
Overview
Border clashes in October 2025 escalated in February 2026 into what Pakistan's defence minister called 'open war', with Pakistani air strikes on Taliban military targets in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia. Qatari, Turkish and Chinese mediation has produced truces and talks but no lasting settlement.
Latest updates
China-mediated talks in Urumqi (1–7 April) ended without a formal agreement, though the parties agreed to keep the 'Urumqi process' as a channel for dialogue
Pakistan struck Taliban military targets in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia after Afghan attacks on border posts; Defence Minister Khawaja Asif described the situation as 'open war'
Qatar announced that Pakistan and Afghanistan had agreed to an immediate ceasefire after talks in Doha, following more than a week of border clashes; follow-up talks in Istanbul…
Qatar announced that Pakistan and Afghanistan had agreed to an immediate ceasefire after talks in Doha, following more than a week of border clashes; follow-up talks in Istanbul ended on 28 October without a resolution. (The Jakarta Post (wire report))
Positions on the record
Islamabad says
Pakistan's Foreign Office says the Afghan Taliban have acknowledged the presence of the TTP and other terrorist groups in Afghanistan but have offered justifications for not acting against them.
Washington says
The State Department said the United States 'supports Pakistan's right to defend itself against attacks from the Taliban, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist group', and that the Taliban have 'consistently failed to uphold their counterterrorism commitments'.
Quoted or summarised from the linked public statements only.
Recent developments
It is the worst fighting between the two neighbours since the Taliban returned to power in 2021 and centres on Pakistan's demand for verifiable action against the TTP and BLA. The United States has publicly backed Pakistan's right to defend itself, making the conflict a test of US–Pakistan counterterrorism alignment.
Recommended resources
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Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to immediate ceasefire in Qatar talks
19 October 2025
via The Jakarta Post (wire report)
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Pakistan Declares 'Open War' With Afghanistan After Clashes
27 February 2026
via Bloomberg
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US backs Pakistan's right to defend itself against Afghan Taliban government
via Gulf News
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China-Mediated Pakistan & Afghanistan Talks End Without Formal Agreement
via Free Press Journal
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Taliban acknowledged presence of TTP, other terror groups in Afghanistan: FO spokesperson
via Dawn
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US says it supports Pakistan's right to defend itself against 'terrorist attacks'
2 July 2026
via Al-Monitor (Reuters)
