Background to the latest escalation
Afghanistan’s Taliban government on Thursday accused Pakistan of carrying out two drone strikes on Kabul the previous day, a claim that arrived just as the two neighbors announced a ceasefire after days of cross-border fighting. The clashes killed dozens and wounded hundreds, underscoring how fragile regional stability remains despite the pause in hostilities.
The ceasefire, announced on Wednesday, marks a pause in what has been the deadliest confrontation between Kabul and Islamabad since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in 2021. The fighting has raised concerns that instability could resurface across a region already wrestling with militant activity and humanitarian challenges.
What happened in Kabul
Khalid Zadran, spokesman for the Kabul police chief, said the strikes struck a civilian house and a market on Wednesday afternoon. While casualty figures from authorities were not immediately released, hospital officials reported several fatalities and dozens of injuries. A surgical center run by the NGO Emergency described injuries ranging from shrapnel to blunt-force trauma and burns.
The Taliban’s information arm initially spoke of an oil tanker explosion, before Abu Dhabi-based updates and local reporting clarified that civilian targets had been hit. The cross-border nature of the incident has intensified fears about retaliation cycles and the accuracy of information amid ongoing hostilities.
Diplomatic and regional response
There was no immediate public response from Islamabad to Kabul’s latest accusation. The absence of a quick denial or confirmation leaves questions about how this episode might affect the truce, which was welcomed by the United Nations as an opportunity to reduce civilian suffering.
UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) documented civilian casualties across several Afghan provinces and urged all parties to seek a durable end to fighting. The organization also highlighted the broader toll on civilians, which has included thousands injured and significant disruption to everyday life as border crossings remained closed.
Context and ongoing dynamics
Cross-border violence has escalated since October, with both sides accusing the other of provocations and militant incursions. Pakistan has claimed operations against militants crossing from Afghanistan, while Kabul continues to deny harboring groups that threaten regional security. The Durand Line, a 2,611-kilometer border, remains a source of dispute, with Afghanistan not recognizing the border officially.
As regional powers press for stability, the ceasefire offers a window for diplomatic engagement. Analysts note that the conflict touches broader concerns, including the resurgence of extremist groups in the region and the risk that renewed fighting could destabilize efforts to address humanitarian needs and regional cooperation.
What to watch next
Officials from both sides indicated ongoing security operations to prevent new flare-ups while the international community, including UNAMA, urges restraint and a durable peace settlement. The coming days will be critical in assessing whether the ceasefire holds, whether civilian casualties decline, and how humanitarian and stabilization efforts can be expanded in the border region.
