Afghan Taliban soldiers have taken up defensive positions along key crossings with Pakistan as both countries exchange cross-border attacks, in what Pakistan’s defense minister has described as a state of “open war.”
The latest clashes underscore rising tensions along the long and historically volatile frontier between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
This curated photo gallery captures the military buildup, damage in border communities, and official responses on both sides.
Torkham Border Crossing
Several images show Afghan Taliban fighters standing guard at the Torkham border crossing, one of the busiest crossings between the two countries.
- Armed soldiers peer through rifle sights toward the Pakistani side.
- Fighters patrol the streets near the crossing, directing civilian traffic.
- Groups of Taliban members gather along the border amid heightened alert.
Torkham has long been a flashpoint due to its strategic and commercial importance.
Explosion at Ghulam Khan Crossing
Smoke billows from a border post on the Afghan side of the Ghulam Khan crossing in Khost province following an explosion.
The crossing links southeastern Afghanistan with Pakistan’s tribal areas and has frequently been affected by militant activity and military exchanges.
Damage in Pakistan’s Border Regions
In Pakistan, villagers in Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa inspect damaged homes and solar panels following overnight shelling and gunfire.
Other images show funeral prayers held near Kohat for paramilitary soldiers killed in clashes with militants in the Waziristan area.
Official Response
In Kandahar, Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid reads a statement to journalists addressing the escalation.
Both governments have traded accusations over responsibility for the fighting. The border, drawn during British colonial rule, has long been contested by Afghan authorities and remains a source of political and military friction.
A Long and Complicated History
Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have been fraught since Pakistan’s creation in 1947. Disputes over the Durand Line border, militant sanctuaries, and cross-border insurgent activity have repeatedly triggered tensions.
The latest exchange of attacks marks one of the most serious escalations in recent years, raising fears of broader instability in the region.