Kabul/Islamabad, November 25,2025: The Afghan Taliban administration on Tuesday accused Pakistan of conducting overnight airstrikes inside Afghan territory, further straining already tense relations between the neighbours.
In a post on X, a spokesperson for the Taliban claimed Pakistan had “bombed” areas in Khost province and carried out additional air operations in Kunar and Paktika. Islamabad has not yet issued an official response to the allegation.
The reported strikes coincided with a deadly attack in Peshawar, where Federal Constabulary (FC) personnel repelled multiple assailants — including a suicide bomber — who attempted to storm their headquarters. At least three FC soldiers were martyred and 11 others injured in the assault.
Diplomatic efforts between Pakistan and Afghanistan have hit a deadlock, with talks in Istanbul failing to produce a breakthrough on Islamabad’s demand for a concrete plan to dismantle terrorist networks operating from Afghan soil. Despite mediation by Turkish officials, the Taliban delegation reportedly declined to provide written assurances.
“The logical and reasoned demands that Pakistan has presented are legitimate, but the Afghan Taliban delegation is not ready to fully accept them,” a security source told media.
Another official familiar with the negotiations said Pakistan had conveyed an uncompromising stance: “No compromise on terrorism. Pakistan has presented specific proposals seeking verifiable measures to dismantle the TTP network and prevent cross-border attacks.”
Amid the stalemate, Pakistan has kept all major border crossings with Afghanistan closed for an indefinite period — a move officials say will remain in place until Kabul takes “verifiable and irreversible” action against anti-Pakistan militant groups, particularly the TTP.
The prolonged closure, now stretching beyond a month, has left thousands of trucks and containers stranded on both sides, stalling bilateral trade and disrupting the regional transit corridor. The crossings remain open only for one-way humanitarian movement to facilitate returning Afghan refugees and stranded individuals.
Tensions escalated sharply on October 12, when Afghan Taliban forces allegedly opened unprovoked fire at multiple locations along the border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The Pakistan Army responded forcefully, destroying several Afghan posts and killing dozens of Afghan soldiers and militants, according to official accounts.
The deteriorating security environment also featured prominently at the United Nations Security Council earlier this month. Denmark warned the Council of the “serious threat” posed by the proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), saying the group continues to receive “logistical and substantial support” from Afghanistan’s de facto authorities.
