FOR several days, the Durand Line has been red hot, echoing with heavy fire and artillery. This marks a shift from regular border skirmishes to a full-blown war between the two na-tions. The Taliban regime launched a direct offensive action instead of relying on its tradi-tional proxy militant networks such as the TTP, TTA or ISKP, reiterating significant shifts in its regional security calculus. There has been a surge in terrorism in Pakistan, largely driven by TTP operations. Its campaign of suicide attacks, IEDs and attacks on security officials throughout KPK and Waziristan has resulted in more than 2,400 deaths recorded in the first three quarters of 2025, thereby revising memories of foundational violence.

With the re-emergence of the Taliban back in power in 2021, the TTP finds itself in a changed geopolitical landscape. This has prompted its resurgence with indirect aid from its ideological namesake, the Taliban. This ideological kinship and historical alliance between the two groups have created serious problems for Pakistan. Pakistan has repeatedly con-veyed concerns and provided detailed intelligence, including the locations of operational bases, regarding the militant groups orchestrating cross-border terrorism. However, Kabul’s........

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