Taliban warns Pakistan over recent airstrikes — lethal civilian toll, border sovereignty claims, and a stern promise of retaliation-

Taliban, Nov.25,2025:Taliban warns Pakistan in perhaps its strongest terms yet after a reported overnight airstrike on Afghan soil, raising the Specter of renewed conflict along a tense border. The Afghan Taliban’s official spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, accused Pakistan of gross violations of Afghan sovereignty and made clear that Kabul reserves the right to respond “at the right time.”

Civilian Toll and Accusations

According to the Taliban government, Pakistani forces conducted airstrikes over the night in eastern Afghanistan, targeting Khost, Paktika, and Kunar provinces. The most tragic allegation: in Khost’s Gurbuz district, a civilian home was bombed, killing nine children and one woman, as per Mujahid’s post on X. In addition, four other civilians were reportedly wounded in the strikes.

Mujahid called these “atrocities” and emphasized that such actions amount to a “direct assault on Afghan territory.”

Sovereignty, Intelligence Failures, and Warning

Zabihullah Mujahid’s response is multifaceted and sharp

• Sovereignty under threat: He strongly condemned Pakistan’s use of Afghan airspace and territory, declaring Afghanistan fully entitled to defend its land, air, and people.
• Intelligence failures: He argued that the operations are based on flawed intelligence, which not only increases tensions but also exposes the failures of Pakistan’s military system. “Wrong intelligence-driven operations only escalate conflict and repeatedly expose Pakistan’s military incapacity,” he said.
• Promise of retaliation: Mujahid warned that Afghanistan would deliver a “suitable response at the right time,” signalling that the Taliban reserves the right to act militarily if provoked.

Border Tensions and Historical Context

The current crisis isn’t emerging out of nowhere — it’s part of a cycle of border tensions between Pakistan and Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. Earlier this year, Mujahid accused a faction of Pakistan’s military of deliberately undermining peace by fuelling conflict along the Durand Line, the disputed Afghanistan–Pakistan border.

He blamed that faction for spreading misinformation, stoking anti-Afghan sentiment, and even sheltering ISIS-K elements.

In previous clashes, the Taliban claimed to have killed dozens of Pakistani soldiers and captured numerous border posts.

Pakistan’s Silence and Diplomatic Fallout

Despite the Taliban’s public condemnation, Pakistan has not yet issued a formal response to the latest allegations. This silence only deepens diplomatic strain.

The ongoing border violence and airstrikes risk derailing a fragile ceasefire brokered earlier this year by Qatar and Turkey. International observers are closely watching whether this episode marks a re-escalation or can be contained through diplomacy.

Retaliation and Military Risk

Mujahid’s warning about a “right time” for retaliation is more than rhetoric — it signals that the Taliban is keeping its options open. Given past claims of cross-border operations (including allegedly killing Pakistani soldiers and capturing posts), there is real risk of escalation.

Any Afghan retaliatory strike could further inflame tensions and spark a broader military confrontation, which may destabilize not just the border regions, but have wider regional implications.

TTP, ISIS-K, and Wider Implications

One major factor in this conflict is the involvement of non-state militant groups

• Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP): Pakistan has long accused the Afghan Taliban of providing a safe haven to TTP fighters, which Kabul has denied or downplayed.
• ISIS-K (Islamic State Khorasan): Mujahid has strongly accused Pakistan’s military factions of ignoring ISIS-K presence on their territory, even suggesting that some ISIS-K leaders operate from inside Pakistan.

If the conflict escalates, these overlapping militant dynamics could further complicate attempts at stabilization, drawing in regional players and possibly triggering international intervention.

International Mediation

Amid the brewing crisis, there are signs that third-party mediation could play a role

• Qatar and Turkey have been key in brokering ceasefire arrangements between Afghanistan and Pakistan in the past.
• US engagement: According to Taliban sources, Washington has had discreet contacts with Kabul aimed at preserving the ceasefire and preventing further descent into conflict.

Whether such diplomatic efforts can hold against this latest provocation remains uncertain.

 Possible Scenarios

Given the heightened rhetoric and serious allegations, here are some possible paths forward

A Dangerous Crossroad for Afghanistan–Pakistan

Taliban warns Pakistan with real seriousness this time — not only about this single airstrike, but about broader patterns of violation, intelligence failure, and encroachment. For Kabul, the stakes are high: its sovereignty, the safety of its civilians, and its credibility are all on the line.

If Islamabad ignores these warnings, it risks a dangerous spiral. But if it responds with diplomacy, there may still be a chance to prevent a full-blown military confrontation. For now, the world watches, and the clock ticks.