Published: 10:56 AM, 06 September 2026
Afghanistan and Pakistan Blame One Another for Harboring Terror Gangs
Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have deteriorated sharply as the two neighboring countries continue to accuse each other of allowing militant groups to operate from their territory. The dispute, rooted in cross-border terrorism and deep political mistrust, has triggered military clashes, airstrikes, and diplomatic tensions, raising fears of a prolonged crisis along the countries' long and volatile border.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan's Taliban authorities of providing shelter and freedom of movement to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant organization responsible for numerous attacks inside Pakistan. Islamabad argues that TTP fighters use Afghan territory to plan and launch attacks against Pakistani security forces and civilians. Afghan authorities have consistently rejected the accusation, saying Pakistan's security problems are primarily an internal matter.
The disagreement has become increasingly serious since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021. According to Pakistani officials, militant attacks inside Pakistan increased significantly after that development. Islamabad has demanded that Kabul take effective action against the TTP and prevent Afghan territory from being used to threaten Pakistan.
Kabul, however, rejects the characterization of Afghanistan as a safe haven for terrorists. Taliban officials have accused Pakistan of using allegations of terrorism as a justification for military operations inside Afghanistan. Afghan authorities have also claimed that Pakistan is allowing hostile groups to operate from its territory and has targeted Afghan areas without sufficient regard for civilians.
The mutual accusations have repeatedly resulted in violence. Pakistan has conducted military operations inside Afghanistan, saying that it was targeting militant bases responsible for attacks on Pakistani territory. Afghanistan has responded with its own military actions, describing some targets as militant or hostile facilities inside Pakistan.
The consequences have been particularly painful for people living along the border. Communities in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces and Afghanistan's eastern provinces have faced insecurity, displacement, and disruptions to trade and daily life. Border crossings have also been affected during periods of heightened tension, damaging the livelihoods of traders, transport workers, and local residents.
Civilian casualties have further complicated the dispute. Cross-border fighting has caused deaths, injuries, and displacement among ordinary people. Both sides have accused the other of causing civilian suffering while defending their military actions as necessary for national security.
The problem is also connected to the complicated history of the region. The border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, commonly known as the Durand Line, has long been disputed by successive Afghan governments. Tribal communities live on both sides, and militants have historically taken advantage of difficult terrain and limited border control to move between the countries.
For Pakistan, the TTP represents a direct threat to national security. The group seeks to challenge the Pakistani state and has carried out attacks against security personnel and civilians. Islamabad therefore argues that it cannot tolerate militant bases operating just across its border.
For Afghanistan, however, Pakistan's military operations are seen as violations of its sovereignty. Afghan officials insist that Kabul will not accept external pressure or attacks on Afghan territory. They have demanded dialogue and mutual respect rather than military confrontation.
The dispute has also attracted the attention of neighboring powers. China and other regional actors have encouraged dialogue between Kabul and Islamabad, recognizing that continuing conflict could threaten regional stability, trade, and economic cooperation. Other countries have also urged both sides to avoid escalation and resolve their differences through diplomatic channels.
There is an important distinction between the Afghan Taliban and the TTP, although the two have ideological and historical connections. The Afghan Taliban governs Afghanistan, while the TTP is a separate militant organization whose primary target is the Pakistani state. Nevertheless, their relationship remains one of the central issues in the dispute.
Pakistan says Kabul must demonstrate through concrete action that Afghan territory will not be used against Pakistan. Afghanistan, meanwhile, wants Islamabad to stop military operations and address its security concerns through negotiations.
Neither side can easily solve the problem through military force alone. Airstrikes may destroy militant facilities, but they can also produce civilian casualties and deepen hostility. Similarly, diplomatic agreements will have little value unless both governments take credible steps to prevent armed groups from using their territory.
A lasting solution will require stronger border management, intelligence cooperation, direct communication, and firm action against militant organizations. Both countries also need mechanisms for investigating allegations and preventing isolated incidents from turning into wider military confrontations.
The people of Afghanistan and Pakistan have already suffered decades of conflict, terrorism, and economic hardship. Another prolonged confrontation would only deepen their difficulties.
The current crisis therefore demands restraint from both Kabul and Islamabad. Fighting terrorism is a legitimate responsibility of every government, but it must be pursued without turning neighboring populations into victims. Afghanistan must address credible concerns about militant activity on its soil, while Pakistan must respect Afghanistan's sovereignty and protect civilians.
The future of relations between the two countries will depend on whether they can move away from mutual accusations and toward practical cooperation. Unless both sides recognize that terrorism and militancy are shared regional problems rather than weapons in a political dispute, the cycle of accusation, retaliation, and violence is likely to continue.
For Afghanistan and Pakistan, peace will not come from blaming each other alone. It will require political courage, responsible security policies, and a genuine commitment to preventing armed groups from turning their shared border into a permanent zone of conflict.
