PAK-AFGHANISTAN STANDOFF PUTS REGION ON EDGE

The Pak-Afghan relationship is mired in deep historical mistrust, with both sides accusing the other of using proxy militant groups for strategic leverage.

- PRABHU DAYAL

A Pakistani soldier stands guard next to fence bordering Afghanistan

‘The Pakistan-Afghanistan border standoff has escalated, with recent heavy exchanges of fire, casualties on both sides, the destruction of a key border crossing, and the complete collapse of a fragile ceasefire agreement. On December 5-6, 2025, intense overnight clashes involving artillery and mortar fire erupted along the Chaman-Spin Boldak border, one of the busiest crossings on the border which connects the Afghan city of Kandahar with Chamanand Quetta in Pakistan.

The fighting occurred just days after a round of peace talks in Saudi Arabia ended without progress and a temporary ceasefire, agreed upon in October after earlier deadly clashes, completely unravelled. The “Friendship Gate,” a crucial border crossing point for trade and civilian movement, was destroyed in the recent fighting, further exacerbating the crisis. Both nations continue to blame each other for initiating the violence.

The core issue remains Pakistan’s accusation that the Afghan Taliban government is providing safe haven to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group responsible for a surge in terrorist attacks within Pakistan. Pakistan asserts that the TTP uses Afghan soil to launch a rising number of deadly attacks on Pakistani security forces and civilians. The Afghan government denies these allegations and, in turn, accuses Pakistan of its own security failures and violations of Afghan territory as Pakistan carries out airstrikes inside Afghanistan to target hideouts of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.