Historical Background of Pak-Afghan Tensions

The root cause of Pak-Afghan tension is the creation of the Durand Line in 1893 by the British government. Afghanistan’s Amir Abdur Rehman Khan signed the Durand Line Agreement, represented by Sir Henry Mortimer Durand. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, Afghanistan refused to recognize its international border, as it believed that due to this border, many Pashtun tribal areas were divided between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Also, Afghanistan was the only country to vote against Pakistan becoming a member of the United Nations.

During 1948-1954, the Waziristan rebellion started when Afghanistan provoked Waziristan’s people against Pakistan under the umbrella of Greater Pashtunistan. In September 1960-1961, during the rule of Mohammad Daoud Khan in Afghanistan, a direct military confrontation happened between the two states, known as the Bajaur Campaign. During this, many Afghan protestors attacked the Pakistani embassy in Kabul. Despite all this, Pakistan tried to maintain brotherly relations with Afghanistan.

During the 1979 Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan, Pakistan, with the US, supported Afghanistan and welcomed millions of refugees into Pakistan wholeheartedly. Despite this great hosting by Pakistan, the first Taliban government, 1996-2001, under the leadership of Ahmed Shah Masoud, Pakistan witnessed many clashes and hostilities from the Afghan government.

To eliminate threats from many terrorist groups, including Tehrik-e-Taliban and its factions, Pakistan allied with the US. The post-9/11 period saw great development in Pak-US relations as Pakistan provided military support to the US against Al-Qaeda and TTP. In 2021, with the Taliban’s 2.0 government, Pakistan saw hope that this new government would support Pakistan in eliminating TTP, but clashes between the two states rose, and their bilateral relations deteriorated.

In October 2025, the Pakistan-Afghan military confronted directly at the Durand Line. Qatar immediately mediated the confrontation. Months after this mediation, the two states are again involved in a clash. On 16th February 2026, Afghanistan attacked Bajaur. TTP claimed responsibility for this attack. In retaliation, on 22nd February, Pakistan targeted militant infrastructure across the border. On 26th February, cross-border clashes were reported in multiple areas. This led to the commencement of a full-fledged military operation by Pakistani forces, known as Operation Ghazab Lil Haq.

“Afghanistan is more than the ‘graveyard of empires.’ It’s the mother of vicious circles.” Maureen Dowd

“Afghanistan is more than the ‘graveyard of empires.’ It’s the mother of vicious circles.”

Operation Ghazab Lil Haq

On the night of........

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