2.2.3. Clashes and airstrikes involving Pakistan

Table of contents

2.2.3. Clashes and airstrikes involving Pakistan

Most incidents involving crossfire between the Afghan de facto security forces and Pakistan have taken place along the shared eastern and southeastern border,619 and both sides have significantly increased ‘troop presence along the border’, as reported by the UN Secretary–General.620 In October 2025, Pakistan carried out airstrikes further into Afghanistan, targeting Kabul City.621

In the period 1 August 2024–31 July 2025, the UN recorded more than 48 armed incidents involving the Afghan de facto security forces and Pakistani security forces.622 This figure is incomplete as no number was provided for the reporting period covering 1 February–30 April 2025, although the UN Secretary-General noted reports of ‘multiple’ armed incidents.623 Similarly, the UN Secretary-General noted ‘multiple’ border incidents and Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan in the period 1 August–31 October 2025, but did not provide any figures.624 Meanwhile, within the reference period of this report, ACLED recorded 107 events involving Pakistani and Afghan de facto security forces; 48 events took place in October 2025.625

Most Pakistani airstrikes have been carried out in border areas.626 Most incidents recorded by the UN have been taking place in border districts of the provinces of Nangarhar, Kunar and Khost,627 notably the districts of Goshtah, Naziyan, Lal Pur and Mohmand Darah (Nangarhar), Khas Kunar, Dur Baba (Kunar), and Tere Zayi, Gurbuz, Jaji Maidan628 and Ali Sher (Khost).629 Single incidents were however also recorded in the provinces of Kandahar (Shorabak),630 Patkya (Dand Patan), Paktika (Barmal District),631 as well as in Helmand (Dishu).632 ACLED data indicated that the provinces affected by this conflict included Nangarhar (21 events), Kunar (20), Paktika (13), Kandahar (11), Khost (8), Helmand (4), Nuristan (4), Paktya (4) and Kabul (2).633

On 9 October 2025, Pakistan carried out an airstrike against Kabul City634 with unclear damage, as well as against a civilian market in Paktika Province damaging ‘a number of shops’.635 Fighting thereafter escalated636 as Afghan de facto security forces retaliated on 11 October 2025 by attacking Pakistani military posts along the shared border.637 Security forces on both sides clashed on 11–12 October 2025, in what was reported as the deadliest clashes since the Taliban takeover in 2021, killing dozens of fighters,638 and injuring and killing many civilians.639 Heavy fighting between the Afghan de facto security forces and the Pakistani military forces was also reported in the district of Spin Boldak (Kandahar Province) on 15 October 2025.640 On this day, Pakistan also conducted airstrikes against Kabul City641 and Spin Boldak City.642 According to UN data, clashes between Afghan de facto and Pakistani security forces caused at least 503 civilian casualties, with 50 killed and 453 injured, mainly by air strikes and cross-border shelling, in the period 10–17 October 2025.643 As per UNAMA’s preliminary records, 17 civilians were killed and 346 injured in the district of Spin Boldak alone.644 After reaching a temporary ceasefire agreement on 19 October 2025,645 sporadic airstrikes and clashes have continued to be reported in border areas.646

According to UCDP data, events involving Pakistan caused 37 civilian deaths within the reference period of this report. Notably, 32 civilian deaths were recorded in the district of Spin Boldak in Kandahar Province.647 Civilians have also been displaced due to clashes in border areas.648 More information is available in section 2.3.1. Displacement and return.

Following clashes, Pakistan closed all border crossings with Afghanistan on 12 October 2025,649 including for trade.650 The border remained closed as of 30 November 2025,651 except for some border crossings that have been temporarily or partially reopened for migrant movements,652 mainly for Afghan returnees.653 The crossing had already been closed on 22 February 2025 due to clashes for about a month, and civilians and humanitarian actors were instructed to evacuate on the Afghan side.654

While Pakistan has claimed that they conduct airstrikes against TTP targets,655 the Afghan de facto authorities and media have reported on civilians being victims of such attacks.656 Civilian homes have reportedly been damaged or destroyed in airstrikes, including in the provinces of Kunar657 and Khost.658 According to TOLOnews 80 civilian houses were destroyed in Spin Boldak, following airstrikes in October 2025, as well as 50 shops and 10 car dealerships.659

Pakistan has also carried out airstrikes against Kabul City, including on 9 October 2025.660 According to a social media post by a Taliban spokesperson published the subsequent day, no injuries or harm had been reported.661 On 15 October 2025, two additional explosions reportedly hit Kabul City’s Police District 15 and another unspecified area, according to Khaama Press,662 while the UN Secretary-General reported on the explosions taking place in police district 4.663 While Pakistan claimed to have carried out an airstrike against the capital,664 the de facto authorities attributed the explosions to a fuel tanker fire.665 There were reportedly electricity blackouts in some areas during the night and at least until the next morning, as some cables had been damaged.666

  • 619

    ACLED, Curated Data Files, Afghanistan covering the period 1 October 2024–30 November 2025, as of 10 December 2025, url; Al Jazeera, Pakistani, Afghan forces exchange deadly border fire: What’s next?, 12 October 2025, url

  • 620

    UN General Assembly and UN Security Council, The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, 21 February 2025, url, para. 21; UN General Assembly and UN Security Council, The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, 11 June 2025, url, para. 22

  • 621

    TOLOnews, Pakistan Airstrike Hits Kabul, Civilians and School Damaged, 16 October 2025, url

  • 622

    UN General Assembly and UN Security Council, The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, 6 December 2024, url, para. 16; UN General Assembly and UN Security Council, The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, 21 February 2025, url, para. 21; UN General Assembly and UN Security Council, The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, 11 June 2025, url, para. 22; UN General Assembly and UN Security Council, The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, 5 September 2025, url, para. 19

  • 623

    UN General Assembly and UN Security Council, The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, 11 June 2025, url, para. 22

  • 624

    UN General Assembly and UN Security Council, The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, 3 December 2025, url, paras. 19–20

  • 625

    ACLED, Curated Data Files, Afghanistan covering the period 1 October 2024–30 November 2025, as of 10 December 2025, url

  • 626

    Norway, Landinfo, Afghanistan: Sikkerhetssituasjonen, 7 November 2025, url, p. 4; ACLED, Curated Data Files, Afghanistan covering the period 1 October 2024–30 November 2025, as of 10 December 2025, url

  • 627

    UN General Assembly and UN Security Council, The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, 6 December 2024, url, para. 16; UN General Assembly and UN Security Council, The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, 21 February 2025, url, para. 21; UN General Assembly and UN Security Council, The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, 11 June 2025, url, para. 22; UN General Assembly and UN Security Council, The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, 5 September 2025, url, para. 19

  • 628

    UN General Assembly and UN Security Council, The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, 11 June 2025, url, para. 22

  • 629

    UN General Assembly and UN Security Council, The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, 21 February 2025, url, para. 21

  • 630

    General Assembly and UN Security Council, The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, 6 December 2024, url, para. 16

  • 631

    UN General Assembly and UN Security Council, The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, 21 February 2025, url, para. 21

  • 632

    UN General Assembly and UN Security Council, The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, 11 June 2025, url, para. 22

  • 633

    ACLED, Curated Data Files, Afghanistan covering the period 1 October 2024–30 November 2025, as of 10 December 2025, url

  • 634

    ACLED, Kabul: First strikes in Afghanistan’s capital city since 2022 – Expert comment, 10 October 2025, url

  • 635

    BBC News, Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of 'violating Kabul's sovereign territory', 10 October 2025, url

  • 636

    UNAMA, UNAMA welcomes Afghanistan-Pakistan ceasefire, urges protection of civilians, 16 October 2025, url

  • 637

    Al-Monitor, Explainer-Why are tensions flaring again between Afghanistan and Pakistan?, 25 November 2025, url

  • 638

    Reuters, Pakistani troops on high alert on Afghan border after fighting, trade halts, 13 October 2025, url

  • 639

    UNAMA, UNAMA welcomes Afghanistan-Pakistan ceasefire, urges protection of civilians, 16 October 2025, url

  • 640

    UNAMA, UNAMA welcomes Afghanistan-Pakistan ceasefire, urges protection of civilians, 16 October 2025, url; Al Jazeera, Pakistan and Afghanistan announce ceasefire after deadly border clashes, 15 October 2025, url

  • 641

    TOLOnews, Pakistan Airstrike Hits Kabul, Civilians and School Damaged, 16 October 2025, url

  • 642

    Reuters, Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to temporary truce after fresh fighting, airstrikes, 15 October 2025, url

  • 643

    UN General Assembly and UN Security Council, The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, 3 December 2025, url, para. 27

  • 644

    UNAMA, UNAMA welcomes Afghanistan-Pakistan ceasefire, urges protection of civilians, 16 October 2025, url

  • 645

    BBC News, Taliban and Pakistan agree to ceasefire after days of deadly clashes, 19 October 2025, url;

  • 646

    Al Jazeera, Afghanistan says Pakistan bombed Khost, killing nine children and a woman, 25 November 2025, url; TOLOnews, Baradar Warns Against Any violation of Afghan Territory, 28 November 2025, url; RFE/RL, Taliban Blames Pakistan For Air Strikes Killing 10, Including 9 Children, 25 November 2025, url

  • 647

    UCDP, data covering the period 1 October 2024–30 November 2025, provided by courtesy of UCDP in an email, 8 December 2025

  • 648

    UN General Assembly and UN Security Council, The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, 6 December 2024, url, para. 16; UN General Assembly and UN Security Council, The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, 21 February 2025, url, para. 21

  • 649

    AP, Pakistan partially reopens Torkham border crossing to allow Afghan refugees to leave, 1 November 2025, url

  • 650

    Reuters, Pakistani troops on high alert on Afghan border after fighting, trade halts, 13 October 2025, url

  • 651

    Nikkei Asia, Pakistan's trade war with Afghanistan boomerangs on its economy 30 November 2025, url

  • 652

    Khaama Press, Pakistan Reopens Spin Boldak Border After Week-Long Closure, 17 October 2025, url; Amu TV, Afghanistan–Pakistan border crossings remain shut for 50th day as trade and travel grind to a halt, 30 November 2025, url

  • 653

    Amu TV, Afghanistan–Pakistan border crossings remain shut for 50th day as trade and travel grind to a halt, 30 November 2025, url; IOM, Afghanistan: Emergency Border Response report (26 Oct - 08 Nov 2025), 17 November 2025, url, p. 3

  • 654

    UN General Assembly and UN Security Council, The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, 11 June 2025, url, para. 22

  • 655

    DW, Pakistan strikes Afghanistan, kills 9 children, Taliban says, 25 November 2025, url

  • 656

    TOLOnews, Islamic Emirate Vows Timely Response to Pakistan’s Airstrikes, 25 November 2025, url

  • 657

    Al Jazeera, What are the risks of Afghanistan-Pakistan tensions escalating?, 25 November 2025, url; TOLOnews, Pakistani Airstrike Hits Civilian Home in Kunar, Injures 5, 25 November 2025, url

  • 658

    TOLOnews, Khost Residents Demand Retaliation After Pakistani Attacks, 27 November 2025, url; DW, Pakistan strikes Afghanistan, kills 9 children, Taliban says. 25 November 2025, url

  • 659

    TOLOnews, 20,000 Families Displaced by Pakistani Airstrikes in Kandahar, 18 October 2025, url

  • 660

    UN General Assembly and UN Security Council, The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, 3 December 2025, url, para. 20

  • 661

    Al Jazeera, Taliban blame Pakistan after explosions in Kabul, amid outreach to India, 10 October 2025, url

  • 662

    Khaama Press, Explosions Rock Kabul, Residents Report Twin Blasts Across Afghanistan Capital, 15 October 2025, url

  • 663

    UN General Assembly and UN Security Council, The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, 3 December 2025, url, para. 20

  • 664

    Khaama Press, Pakistan Confirms Airstrikes on Kabul and Kandahar, 15 October 2025, url

  • 665

    Khaama Press, Explosions Rock Kabul, Residents Report Twin Blasts Across Afghanistan Capital, 15 October 2025, url

  • 666

    AFP, Afghanistan-Pakistan ceasefire holds after deadly border clashes, 16 October 2025, url