Amidst all the chaos around the world, the Pakistan-Afghanistan border is also aflame, in a reminder that Pakistan’s struggle against militancy has never been confined to its own territory. It is a conflict that spills across borders, thrives in safe havens and is sustained by complex regional dynamics. As CDF-COAS Field Marshal Asim Munir recently reiterated, peace between Pakistan and Afghanistan can only prevail if the Afghan Taliban renounce their support for terrorism and the organisations that continue to target Pakistan. The root of the problem has persisted for years: the use of Afghan soil by militant groups such as the TTP and BLA to launch attacks inside Pakistan. Islamabad has repeatedly warned that such activity is unacceptable and the military leadership has now made it clear that Pakistan will take “all necessary measures” to neutralise threats emanating from across the border. According to official accounts, Pakistan’s armed forces have achieved key targets in Bagram during the ongoing Operation Ghazab Lil Haq. Infrastructure reportedly used to supply ammunition by the Afghan Taliban regime to militants has been destroyed. Reports also suggest that Pakistani forces may continue targeting militant positions inside Afghanistan through ground and air operations until all operational objectives are met.
The military maintains that this war was not initiated by Pakistan. Officials say the Afghan Taliban regime launched unprovoked attacks along the Pak-Afghan border under the cover of darkness last week, prompting Pakistan to respond. What began as border clashes has now evolved into a broader confrontation with militant networks operating from Afghan territory. For many observers, the Taliban’s willingness to challenge Pakistan reflects a sense of bravado rooted in a long-standing narrative. All that said, today Afghanistan remains a deeply troubled state. Economic collapse, international isolation and humanitarian crises have left many Afghans desperate to leave their own country. This is hardly a victory for anyone. A nation whose citizens see no future at home cannot claim success, nor can a regime that allows militant groups to use its territory as a base for attacks on neighbours. The Afghan Taliban must therefore confront a fundamental reality: if they want Afghanistan to make progress and regain a place in the international community, they must eliminate terrorist safe havens on their soil instead of allowing the country to become a hotbed of militancy.
Pakistan, for its part, insists it did not seek escalation. The reality of geography means that Islamabad will eventually have to maintain some form of political engagement with the regime on the other side of the Durand Line. But engagement cannot come at the expense of national security. Protecting Pakistani citizens from cross-border terrorism remains a non-negotiable priority. Yet an equally important question looms: even if Pakistan succeeds in striking militant hideouts today, what guarantees exist that the Afghan Taliban will stop supporting or facilitating militant groups tomorrow? Kinetic operations, by their nature, can only provide temporary relief. A more durable solution requires diplomacy and regional coordination. Pakistan must work with its regional partners to build a united front that pressures the Afghan Taliban to sever ties with militant organisations. Economic leverage, diplomatic engagement and coordinated security mechanisms could collectively create incentives – and consequences – strong enough to change behaviour in Kabul. Afghanistan must realise that being a pariah state comes with costs.
