Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict is rooted in local border dispute – but the risks extend across the region

Weeks of fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan has resulted in hundreds being killed.

By: Rabia Akhtar, Harvard Kennedy School; University of Lahore, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: March 20, 2026

Words: 1,059

Last Updated: 1 day, 1 hour ago

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By Rabia Akhtar, Harvard Kennedy School; University of Lahore

A weekslong war between Pakistan and Afghanistan was paused on March 18, 2026, to mark the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. But that does not mean the conflict is over.

Neither side showed any indication that the planned five-day cessation of operations would be anything other than temporary, and they warned that any violation would be met with reciprocal strikes.

Already the conflict has seen …

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