Tensions Escalate Between Pakistan and Taliban Along the Durand Line: What You Need to Know
In a dramatic turn of events, violence along the Durand Line—the contentious border between Pakistan and Afghanistan—has escalated to near-war conditions, with both sides suffering heavy losses. The most recent conflict follows an attack by Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, who killed 16 Pakistani soldiers, prompting retaliatory airstrikes from Pakistan’s Air Force on Taliban positions in Afghanistan. However, the situation quickly deteriorated, as Taliban forces launched counterattacks on Pakistani military outposts, killing 19 soldiers and capturing two Pakistani positions. Unverified video are circulating in “X”
Videos from the Durand border confirm that the Afghan/Pakistani Taliban have overrun an abandoned Pakistani border security outpost. Videos reportedly from the Bajaur belt. #Pakistan #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/EwaIHfpTXs
— FJ (@Natsecjeff) December 30, 2024
As the situation unfolds, it has once again raised the unresolved issue of the Durand Line, a border established under British rule in 1893 that remains a flashpoint in relations between the two countries. The Taliban’s rejection of the Durand Line as a legitimate border has only intensified the already strained relations.
The Durand Line: A Historical Border Dispute
The Durand Line, drawn over a century ago, has been at the heart of tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan since Pakistan’s creation in 1947. The line stretches approximately 2,600 kilometers and cuts through Pashtun-majority territories, a group that straddles both sides of the border. Originally designed by the British during colonial times to separate British India from Afghanistan, the Durand Line was never recognized by the Afghan people or their leaders. Afghanistan has consistently rejected the border, considering it an arbitrary division that disregards the ethnic and tribal realities on the ground.
The Taliban, who assumed control of Afghanistan in 2021, has continued to uphold this stance. Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense referred to the Durand Line as an “imaginary line,” a sentiment that underscores the long-standing political and ethnic issues tied to this boundary. The Taliban’s refusal to acknowledge the line has been a significant point of friction with Pakistan, and this latest round of violence is just one chapter in a series of clashes that have erupted along the border.
Pakistan’s Airstrikes and Taliban Retaliation
The latest flare-up began after the TTP, an Afghan-based terror group with ties to the Taliban, killed 16 Pakistani soldiers in a deadly assault. In retaliation, Pakistan launched airstrikes on four locations in the Paktika and Khost provinces of Afghanistan, claiming to have targeted TTP militants gathered in these areas. The airstrikes killed at least 50 people, although Pakistan’s military did not initially confirm the number of casualties.
The Taliban responded swiftly, claiming responsibility for attacks on several Pakistani military posts near the Durand Line. Taliban fighters reportedly killed 19 Pakistani soldiers and captured two military outposts. In a statement, the Taliban reiterated its position on the Durand Line, declaring it “not a legitimate border.” This remark has further inflamed the ongoing territorial dispute and undermined any attempts to de-escalate tensions.
In Pakistan’s response, the military confirmed the death of one soldier but claimed that its counterattacks resulted in the death of at least eight Afghan individuals. As the confrontation continued late into the night on December 30, 2023, both sides remained locked in a standoff, with violence spilling over into the surrounding border areas, displacing thousands of Afghan civilians.
Afghanistan Rejects the Durand Line as “Imaginary”
The central issue at the heart of these clashes is the question of the legitimacy of the Durand Line. For Pakistan, the line is an internationally recognized border, an essential element of the country’s sovereignty. However, for Afghanistan, especially the Taliban-led government, it is seen as an imposition of British colonial rule that has no historical or cultural basis.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense has been vocal in rejecting the Durand Line, describing it as an “imaginary line” and asserting that the recent attack on Pakistani military positions was aimed at areas used to launch strikes into Afghan territory. The Afghan government’s statement was carefully worded, avoiding direct reference to the Durand Line while making it clear that they do not recognize the boundary as valid. This continues a decades-long policy of non-recognition that dates back to the formation of Pakistan.
Pakistan and the Taliban: A Strained Relationship
Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, Pakistan had hoped that the new Afghan government might soften its stance on the Durand Line. However, the Taliban’s rejection of the border has remained unchanged, further complicating relations between the two nations. Pakistan has also accused Afghanistan of harboring the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISKP), a militant group that is considered an enemy of both the Taliban and Pakistan. These tensions, coupled with the continuing insurgencies along the border, have led to an unstable and volatile situation in the region.
For years, Pakistan has sought to build a fence along the Durand Line to control the flow of militants and migrants. However, the Taliban has vehemently opposed the fencing, accusing Pakistan of violating Afghan sovereignty. These issues are compounded by the ethnic Pashtun populations on both sides of the border, who feel torn between allegiance to Afghanistan and Pakistan, further complicating efforts to resolve the dispute.
Looking Ahead: No End in Sight
As clashes between Pakistan and the Taliban continue, the future of the Durand Line remains uncertain. The border has long been a point of contention and remains a source of tension between the two countries. Despite multiple attempts at negotiation, including during the previous Afghan governments, the Taliban’s refusal to recognize the line as legitimate only ensures that the dispute will continue to fester.
The recent attacks, the heavy casualties, and the displaced civilians highlight the growing instability in the region. Both Pakistan and Afghanistan are facing internal pressures—Pakistan from the increasing militant threat from the TTP, and Afghanistan from an ongoing economic and humanitarian crisis. Without a resolution to the Durand Line dispute, it is unlikely that these tensions will abate anytime soon.
Conclusion: A Delicate and Dangerous Situation
The confrontation between Pakistan and the Taliban along the Durand Line is more than just a military conflict; it is a reminder of the unresolved historical issues that continue to shape the geopolitics of South Asia. With both sides suffering significant casualties and no clear path to peace, the situation remains highly volatile. For now, the Durand Line stands as a symbol of the deep divisions that persist between Pakistan and Afghanistan, threatening regional stability and fueling ongoing conflict.