Tensions remain high along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, raising concerns about a potential escalation into a wider conflict in the region. According to Russian international relations expert Yuri Kuznetsov, the ongoing crisis between the two nations could trigger a large-scale armed conflict in East Asia, fueled by conflicting interests among key regional powers.
Kuznetsov, writing for a Russian strategic studies website, suggests that closer ties between Kabul and New Delhi, at the expense of Islamabad, could lead to profound strategic shifts. These shifts, he warns, could ultimately result in an asymmetrical war, a protracted guerrilla conflict, or even a conventional war between states.
The crux of the issue, according to Islamabad, is the alleged support provided by Afghan authorities to the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Pakistan views this support as an existential threat and a major source of tension in bilateral relations. The nearly 2,600-kilometer Afghanistan-Pakistan border, known as the Durand Line, has been a flashpoint for escalating tensions in recent years. Kabul does not recognize the legitimacy of the Durand Line.
Last October, serious clashes erupted between Pakistani and Afghan forces along the border. Pakistan has also conducted strikes within Afghan territory, claiming to target bases used by TTP militants and other groups, including the Balochistan Liberation Army, allegedly linked to the Afghan leadership.
Islamabad has repeatedly accused Kabul of collaborating with India in hostile activities, allegations vehemently denied by Afghan authorities. Kabul insists that it does not harbor TTP fighters and will not allow its territory to be used to harm other countries. The situation remains highly volatile, with the potential for further escalation. Regional and international observers are closely monitoring developments along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
