How the Ongoing Pak-Afghan War and the Regional Security Situation Threaten Pakistan’s Cohesion

The armed escalation between Pakistan and Afghanistan in early 2026 is rapidly becoming a factor of strategic instability for the entire region.

Escalation between Pakistan and Afghanistan

Terrorist organizations use the Afghan soil to conduct operations in neighboring countries. Recently, Pakistan faced some of the deadliest terrorist attacks, including one on an Imam Bargah in Islamabad and in the Bannu and Bajaur districts. Pakistani officials maintain that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and ISIL* were involved in these terrorist attacks. As per some reports, a chapter of the Islamic State (IS*) was involved in the recent suicide attack in Moscow. However, the Afghan Taliban have always shown reluctance in countering these terrorist organizations or deterring them from using Afghan soil.

These terrorist organizations have repeatedly become a reason for border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan disrupted a fragile ceasefire between the two countries. After the Afghan offensive, the Pakistani military has conducted numerous air strikes on key military installations deep inside Afghanistan. Pakistan’s Ministry of Information stated that Pakistan had destroyed the Afghan military installation through these air strikes. It further stated, “Afghan Taliban tried skirmishes,........

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