Pakistan-Afghanistan border tensions escalate after ‘unprovoked firing’ claim

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalated sharply after Islamabad accused the Afghan Taliban of initiating “unprovoked firing” along the Torkham and Tirah sectorsin Khyber District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, warning of a severe response to any further provocation.

The exchange comes days after Pakistan carried out airstrikes inside Afghanistan , claiming to have targeted militant hideouts linked to recent terrorist attacks within its territory. Kabul had vowed retaliation, setting the stage for the latest confrontation.

At the heart of the escalation are long standing disputes and deep mistrust . Pakistan alleges that anti Pakistan militant groups, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan , are operating from Afghan soil. The Taliban leadership denies the charge, accusing Islamabad of violating Afghan sovereignty through cross border strikes. The unresolved Durand Line border dispute and a history of deadly clashes have further strained ties.