Pakistan-Afghanistan Conflict: How a 132-Year-Old Border Dispute Sparked Repeated Clashes

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have once again escalated, with border skirmishes and sharp political exchanges straining relations. However, the roots of this conflict trace back more than a century to a controversial boundary drawn in 1893.

What Is the Durand Line?

In 1893, British India and Afghan Amir Abdur Rahman Khan signed an agreement establishing the Durand Line. Stretching approximately 2,640 kilometers, it now forms the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Afghanistan has never fully recognized the Durand Line as a permanent international boundary, arguing that the agreement was signed under British pressure during colonial rule.

The Pashtun Question

The Durand Line divided ethnic Pashtun populations between the two countries. Many Afghan leaders and nationalist groups have historically opposed this division, viewing it as unjust. Pakistan, however, considers the border legally valid and integral to its sovereignty.

Taliban Rule and Rising Friction

After the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, Pakistan accused Kabul of allowing anti-Pakistan militant groups to operate from Afghan territory. In response, Afghan authorities have accused Pakistan of cross-border strikes and interference.

Border fencing efforts and the construction of military posts have also triggered multiple confrontations in recent years.

Why Are Clashes Intensifying Now?

Recent flare-ups are linked to border security concerns, militant activity, and political tensions. Analysts say that without a lasting agreement on border management and mutual security cooperation, such disputes are likely to resurface.

What Lies Ahead?

Regional stability depends heavily on diplomatic engagement between the two nations. The international community has urged restraint and dialogue to prevent further escalation.

More than a century after it was drawn, the Durand Line continues to shape the geopolitical landscape of South Asia, keeping relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan fragile and complex.