The conflict between the close allies of the past, the Afghan Taliban and the Pakistani military is not abating. Armed clashes on the border have become practically routine, worsening relations between large sections of the population in both countries. Under the government of the Islamic Emirate, Afghanistan remains unrecognized and is experiencing an economic and financial blockade. The humanitarian and economic situation in the country is extremely grave. In turn, the Taliban leaders want to pursue a more independent foreign policy and do not want to be clients of the Pakistani military anymore. In turn, Islamabad is experiencing significant difficulties with the growth of terrorist activity within its borders. At the same time, a rather tough struggle for power continues within the Pakistani elites, using force and the legal system. After the victory of the Taliban, the TTP and affiliated structures have intensified their activities against the authorities and military of Pakistan. In short, the deterioration of relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan is intensifying and threatens to destabilize the region.

The day before, there was a clash between the armed forces of the unrecognized government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and the Pakistani army. During the short battle, heavy weapons were used and there were killed and wounded. The clash occurred in the tribal area, along the Durand Line of the strategically important province of Khost. Armed clashes on the Afghan-Pakistani border are not something unique. In the history of relations between the two countries, such events have occurred quite rarely but still took place. However, in this case, relations between Kabul and Islamabad are, perhaps, at a historical minimum. The two countries are in a state of cold war and a fairly tough political conflict, which occasionally spills over into short armed clashes. Mistrust and hostility among the Afghan population towards Pakistanis and, in particular, its army is also growing.

The Afghan Ministry of Defense said that the clash between the forces of the Islamic Emirate and Pakistani border guards in the city of Khost ended in an hour. The ministry added that the clashes started when the Islamic Emirate forces were building outposts on Afghan territory and Pakistani troops fired on them. In a statement, Enayatullah Khorazmi, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defence, said: “When our mujahideen were building outposts, the Pakistani side opened fire and our troops responded. As a result, a clash occurred and after an hour of exchange of fire, the fighting stopped.”

Meanwhile, residents of Khost felt that the clashes along the disputed border between Afghanistan and Pakistan were damaging to both countries and called for resolving such issues through diplomatic means. “Our request to the Islamic Emirate and the Pakistani government is to resolve these issues through dialogue and end them,” Jannat Gul, a resident of Khost, told Tolo News. “Sometimes clashes occur in different areas of the country; people from both sides demand that these issues be resolved through talks as war is not a solution,” said Shaheen, another resident of Khost. It is worth noting that almost a month ago, a similar clash occurred over the construction of a security checkpoint at the Torkham crossing between the Islamic Emirate forces and Pakistani border guards, resulting in three deaths and three injuries.

It is worth noting that the relations between the Taliban and Pakistan have never been cloudless and unambiguous. The same can be said about the attitude of Afghans towards Pakistanis even though it is the Pakistani military and the country’s main intelligence agency ISI that is the main sponsor, mentor, and creator in the mid-1990s. years of the Afghan Pashtun student movement, the Taliban have always viewed Islamabad with mistrust. Thus, General Pervez Musharraf, President of Pakistan, admitted in 2006 that the ‘‘center of gravity of terrorism’’ had shifted from Al Qaeda to the Taliban and that the Taliban was a ‘‘more dangerous element because it has roots in the people’’ unlike Al Qaeda and was ‘‘more organized’’. He regarded the Taliban as an ‘‘obscurantist social concept’’. He discussed that the real danger lay in the emerging strength of the Taliban and in the possibility of converting their resistance ‘‘into a national war by the [Pashtuns] against … all foreign forces’’.

Contradictions between the two neighbors in South Asia are intensifying, often leading to conflict and even skirmishes on the border. Afghanistan under Taliban rule and Pakistan cannot find a common language and resolve their differences, despite their shared history and cooperation. Observers note that the conflict is associated with possible interference and pressure from China on the Pakistani military. Beijing demands increased security measures inside Pakistani territories to advance its infrastructure and economic projects. At the same time, the Afghan de facto government represented by the Taliban does not seek to exert military pressure on various radical anti-Pakistan groups. The Taliban, in turn, accuse the Pakistani military of supporting international radical extremists on Afghan territory. The situation has escalated so much that some media asked the question: “Is Pakistan at war with the Afghan Taliban?” It is difficult to say where this conflict will go, but it is clear that Pakistan’s position among the Taliban and the Afghan population is greatly weakening. The victory of the Taliban and the reincarnation of the Islamic Emirate, which should have been a victory for Pakistan and strengthened its position in the region, paradoxically brought big problems and, on the contrary, weakened it.

Recently, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif told the BBC that Pakistan would continue to launch attacks against Afghanistan as part of a new military operation aimed at countering terrorism, Khawaja Asif said the aerial strikes were targeting groups that Pakistan accuses of targeting security forces and civilians. “It’s correct that we have been carrying out operations in Afghanistan, and we will continue to do so. We won’t serve them with cake and pastries. If attacked, we’ll attack back,” Mr Asif said. He also dismissed fears over the legality of the strikes, saying Pakistan does not inform the Taliban of impending attacks. He said: “This would eliminate the element of surprise. Why should we tell them, ‘Get ready, we are coming’?” Previously, the Pakistani military carried out similar attacks against Afghan territories in March.

The Taliban government in Afghanistan describes the strikes as violations of its sovereignty. The Taliban said the statement was “irresponsible”, warning Pakistan that cross-border attacks would have “consequences”. Many senior Taliban officials note a decline in trust in the Pakistani military and diplomats. “We don’t trust the Pakistanis. They don’t love us and are trying in every possible way to weaken Afghanistan. In addition, it is the Pakistani military and advisers who help and support various radical extremist groups on Afghan soil,” said one of the Taliban representatives.

Tensions have been rising between Pakistan and Afghanistan since the Taliban took control of the country in 2021. The Taliban’s victory in 2021 was largely possible thanks to support from Pakistan. Immediately after the fall of Kabul, the ISI chief visited the city, where he met with Taliban leaders, outlining Islamabad’s privileged position in the new Afghanistan without the Americans. However, the Taliban were not happy about this. Pakistan alleges that a faction of the Taliban, the Pakistani Taliban or TTP, has sanctuaries in Afghanistan. “Afghanistan has been reluctant to take action against the TTP, despite our requests to let them not use Afghan soil to attack Pakistan,” Mr Asif said.