A tense calm hangs over the Afghanistan–Pakistan border following a fragile 48-hour ceasefire that temporarily halted intense fighting between the two nations. The truce came after Pakistani airstrikes deep inside Afghan territory killed at least 15 civilians and injured more than 100 others. The strikes, which targeted areas in Kabul and Kandahar, were a direct response to Taliban assaults on Pakistani outposts along the Durand Line, the disputed border dividing the two countries. In a symbolic display of victory, Taliban fighters later paraded trousers and weapons seized from abandoned Pakistani positions, turning them into a public spectacle across parts of Afghanistan.
According to Afghan journalist Daud Junbish of the BBC, the Taliban recovered and displayed the uniforms left behind by retreating Pakistani soldiers in the Nangrahar province. Images circulating on social media showed Taliban fighters brandishing military gear, further inflaming nationalist sentiment among Afghans. The scenes underscored a dangerous escalation, as what began as sporadic border skirmishes evolved into a full-scale conflict that demanded an urgent ceasefire.
Public sentiment in Afghanistan has swung sharply behind the Taliban, now seen as defenders of national sovereignty. Civilians in Kandahar and Paktia voiced strong support for the Islamic Emirate’s military response to what they view as Pakistani aggression. “The Islamic Emirate gave them a proper response. All the people are standing with them against Pakistan,” said Baitullah, a resident of Paktia. Others vowed to join the fight if necessary, reflecting the growing anti-Pakistan sentiment across the country.
The violence, which erupted last week, began when Pakistan launched airstrikes against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) camps allegedly operating in Kabul. This offensive coincided with the visit of Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to India, adding a layer of diplomatic tension. Afghanistan accused Islamabad of repeatedly violating its airspace and infringing on its sovereignty.
At the heart of this volatile dispute lies the Durand Line — a colonial-era boundary drawn by the British in 1893 that splits the Pashtun homeland between the two countries. The Taliban, like many Afghans, reject the line’s legitimacy, viewing it as an artificial divide imposed by foreign powers. Over the weekend, deadly cross-border exchanges were reported in at least seven areas along this frontier, with both sides claiming heavy casualties. Pakistan claimed to have killed over 200 Taliban fighters, while Afghanistan said 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 20 border outposts destroyed.
As tensions escalated, reports emerged of Taliban fighters commandeering Pakistani weapons, including tanks. A viral video showed Taliban troops driving a captured Pakistani T-55 tank, celebrating what they described as a major military success. These actions deepened Islamabad’s frustration and prompted further retaliatory airstrikes, culminating in the civilian deaths that shocked Afghan cities and triggered mass outrage.
In the aftermath of the strikes, ordinary Afghans rallied in solidarity with their government and armed forces. Many residents of Kabul expressed readiness to support the Taliban in defending the national territory. “We defend the Islamic Emirate and our country. No foreigner has the right to interfere in our homeland,” said Kabul resident Abdul Ghafour. Others thanked the Afghan forces for “always defending our land,” calling for unity against external aggression.
Pakistan, reeling from the intensity of Afghan retaliation, has now turned to Qatar and Saudi Arabia for mediation, urging them to help de-escalate hostilities. According to Tolo News, Pakistani officials pleaded with mediators to “stop Afghans from fighting.”
Despite the short-lived ceasefire, the deep-rooted mistrust between the two neighbours remains unresolved. Both nations continue to amass troops near the Durand Line, and analysts warn that another violent flare-up could be imminent. While the guns may have fallen silent for now, the fragile truce appears to be only a pause in a conflict that shows no sign of ending soon.
