{
  "id": 11747269,
  "title": "Pakistan vs. Afghanistan: From allies and neighbors to war",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/pakistan-vs-afghanistan-from-allies-and-neighbors-to-war",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-03T18:49:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "DW News",
    "slug": "dw-news",
    "url": "https://www.dw.com/en/pakistan-vs-afghanistan-from-allies-and-neighbors-to-war/a-79532115?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In recent months, a conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan has escalated, marking a significant shift in their once friendly relationship. The dispute began in mid-September after a series of attacks on Pakistani security forces, which led to the deaths of 31 people and over 100 injured. Pakistan accused Afghanistan of providing sanctuary to a militant group known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while Afghanistan denies these claims. The TTP is an independent group with close ties to the Afghan Taliban, but it is fighting against the Pakistani state.\n\nTensions rose further in late September when the Taliban reported that 28 fighters infiltrated Afghanistan from Pakistan, accusing Islamabad of supporting armed opponents. However, Pakistan denied these accusations. The conflict has deep roots, with the border between the two countries dating back to 1893. Known as the Durand Line, it was drawn by a British diplomat and an Afghan emir to delineate spheres of influence between British India and Afghanistan. This border not only separates countries but also divides the Pashtun ethnic group, who are the largest in Afghanistan and the second-largest in Pakistan. The Durand Line is a source of identity and ethnic conflicts.\n\nPakistan's long-standing rivalry with India also plays a role in the current situation. A friendly Afghanistan would have been advantageous for Pakistan, but India has strengthened its ties with the Taliban. As a landlocked country, Afghanistan relies on trade routes through neighboring countries, including Pakistan. Pakistan can exert pressure through border closures and trade restrictions, even as the Taliban regime tries to reduce its dependence on Pakistan and establish new economic and political partnerships.\n\nIn its efforts to address the issue, Pakistan has held talks with the TTP mediated by the Taliban, leading to ceasefires. However, these agreements have not resolved the core issue of preventing attacks from Afghan territory. Pakistan has also adopted economic and political pressure tactics, such as closing borders and restricting trade, as well as sending Afghan refugees back to Afghanistan. However, the Taliban is concerned that cracking down on the TTP too harshly could push the group towards other extremist groups like the Islamic State in Khorasan Province (IS-K), which opposes the Taliban. This has led to a significant escalation in the conflict, with accusations from both sides of supporting armed groups in the other's territory. British think tank Chatham House notes that this escalation is more severe compared to previous border skirmishes, turning the dispute into a direct confrontation.",
  "summary": "For years, Pakistan supported the Taliban in Afghanistan. But now Pakistan is bombing its neighbor. How the former allies became adversaries and why negotiations keep failing.",
  "key_points": [
    "Conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalates from mid-September.",
    "Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of providing sanctuary to TTP militants.",
    "Tensions rise as Taliban claims 28 fighters infiltrated from Pakistan."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Pakistan vs. Afghanistan: From allies and neighbors to war",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/pakistan-vs-afghanistan-from-allies-and-neighbors-to-war-11749244",
        "published": "2026-10-03T18:49:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}