Afghanistan/Pakistan 

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Latest news on Afghanistan and Pakistan, covering border clashes, Taliban and TTP tensions, ceasefire talks, refugees, trade and the Durand Line dispute.

Afghanistan and Pakistan share a 2,600km frontier known as the Durand Line, one of the most contested and volatile borders in the world. Relations between Kabul and Islamabad shape security, trade and daily life for millions of people across South Asia. Our feed brings together breaking stories, analysis and on-the-ground reporting from both sides of the border.

Tensions have centred on Pakistani accusations that militant groups, notably Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), operate from Afghan territory, claims the Taliban authorities deny. Clashes that erupted in October 2025 escalated sharply in early 2026, with airstrikes on Kabul and Kandahar and heavy fighting along the frontier. Repeated ceasefires brokered in Doha and Istanbul have proved fragile, keeping diplomacy under constant strain.

Follow developments on peace talks and international mediation, with Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and China all involved in efforts to halt hostilities. Our coverage tracks negotiations, truce violations, cross-border incidents and the security operations launched by both militaries.

The human cost of the conflict features prominently, from civilians displaced by shelling to Afghan refugees affected by mass deportations from Pakistan. Closures of key crossings such as Torkham and Chaman have stranded families and caused bilateral trade to collapse, hitting communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and eastern Afghanistan. Pashtun communities living on both sides of the border remain at the heart of the story.

The dispute has deep historical roots. The Durand Line was drawn in 1893 under British colonial rule and has never been recognised by Afghan governments, a grievance that led Afghanistan to oppose Pakistan's admission to the United Nations in 1947. Pakistan later backed the Taliban during the Afghan civil war of the 1990s, yet relations soured after the group returned to power in 2021 amid a surge in militancy inside Pakistan.

Wider regional rivalries add further complexity, including Afghanistan's warming ties with India, Pakistan's defence partnerships in the Gulf, and renewed international interest in Afghan bases and resources. Stay informed with our NewsNow feed on Afghanistan and Pakistan, updated around the clock with the most relevant headlines from trusted sources worldwide.