ISLAMABAD: Pakistan continues robust security operations along its western border as regional dynamics shift, following India’s engagement with Afghanistan’s Taliban government, according to a report by the International Crisis Group (ICG).
The annual conflict assessment, titled “Ten Conflicts to Watch in 2026”, highlights Pakistan’s strategic position in South Asia after two separate military confrontations in 2025, first with India in April, then with Afghanistan in October.
The report underscores ongoing cross-border militancy, noting that over 600 Pakistani security personnel were killed last year, primarily in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces bordering Afghanistan.
Islamabad attributes these attacks to militants operating from Afghan territory, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) elements.
While the Taliban publicly deny the presence of Pakistani militants in Afghanistan, officials acknowledge that controlling all movement across the 2,570-kilometer border remains challenging, the ICG notes.
In October, cross-border incidents prompted Pakistan to conduct limited operations against militant targets, and coordinated regional diplomacy through Türkiye and Qatar helped establish a temporary ceasefire.
The ICG report also observes that Taliban-India engagement has heightened Pakistan’s strategic focus on the region. Pakistan’s intelligence and military authorities continue to monitor developments closely, ensuring cross-border threats are contained while maintaining readiness for counterterrorism operations.
Pakistan’s history of supporting Afghan stability, including sheltering Taliban leaders during their insurgency against the US-backed government, underscores Islamabad’s ongoing commitment to regional security.
The ICG report stresses that Pakistan’s proactive measures aim to prevent militant groups from exploiting porous borders and to maintain calm along its western frontier.
In addition to western border challenges, Pakistan faced tensions with India following the April 2025 Pahalgam incident in Indian-occupied Kashmir, which led to retaliatory strikes by both sides.
The report calls these confrontations the most serious escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors in years. Pakistani authorities have since worked closely with international partners to stabilize the situation, while continuing to strengthen defense preparedness.
“Pakistan remains vigilant in safeguarding its borders and countering cross-border threats,” the assessment notes, citing Islamabad’s measured and strategic response. Officials emphasize that regional stability depends on continuous cooperation, intelligence coordination, and robust security measures along sensitive border areas.
The ICG’s annual watchlist identifies South Asia as a critical flashpoint in 2026, highlighting the importance of Pakistan’s proactive counterterrorism and border security operations in maintaining regional peace.
