On October 9, 2025, a cross-border attack from Afghanistan targeted Pakistani forces stationed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, resulting in several casualties. This attack, believed to be carried out by insurgent groups based in Afghanistan, has raised alarm over Pakistan’s security preparedness and its deteriorating control over its borders. While the Pakistani military retaliated with airstrikes on militant positions across the border, this incident highlights a deeper, systemic failure in Pakistan’s national security strategy.

The attack not only exposes the inadequacies in Pakistan’s border security but also underscores the growing threat posed by insurgent groups operating from Afghan soil, with the Taliban failing to honor its commitments to prevent such activities. The Pakistani government and military’s inability to protect its borders effectively raises serious questions about the country’s defense posture and its approach to managing cross-border militancy.

A Fragile Border Security Strategy

The attack from Afghanistan is a stark reminder of Pakistan's failure to secure its borders. Despite years of military operations and diplomatic efforts, the porous border between Pakistan and Afghanistan continues to be a point of vulnerability. The Pakistani military has struggled to combat insurgent groups operating along the Afghan border, particularly the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has found refuge in Afghanistan following the U.S. withdrawal. While Pakistan has launched several military operations in the border regions, these efforts have largely failed to curb the threat posed by cross-border insurgents.

The Pakistan military's focus on counterterrorism operations has not been matched by effective border security measures. The inability to secure key border crossings and mountainous regions has allowed militant groups to freely operate in the area. The presence of insurgents on Afghan soil, with the tacit approval of the Taliban regime, has made it nearly impossible for Pakistan to enforce its territorial integrity. Despite increased military spending, the lack of strategic infrastructure and intelligence-sharing mechanisms with Afghanistan has led to a critical lapse in Pakistan's ability to defend its borders.

The Taliban’s Role: A Complicit Neighbor

The return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan has been a game-changer for Pakistan's security. While Pakistan has historically supported the Taliban, particularly during their first rule from 1996 to 2001, the current situation is different. The Taliban government in Afghanistan has consistently failed to control the various insurgent groups operating within its borders, including the TTP, which regularly launches attacks on Pakistani soil.

The Taliban’s lack of cooperation with Pakistan in tackling cross-border militancy is a significant factor contributing to the increasing violence along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Despite public assurances of cooperation in counterterrorism efforts, the Taliban has largely turned a blind eye to the insurgents using Afghan territory as a launchpad for attacks on Pakistan. This failure to prevent militant groups from operating freely is a critical vulnerability for Pakistan’s national security.

Pakistan’s reliance on diplomatic engagement with the Taliban has proved to be ineffective. The Pakistani government has tried to work with the Taliban to secure peace, but the lack of real cooperation has left Pakistan exposed to frequent attacks from militants based in Afghanistan. This situation has forced Pakistan to take unilateral military actions, including airstrikes, which only escalate tensions and further destabilize the region.

The Military’s Response: A Reactive Strategy

In the aftermath of the October 9 attack, Pakistan’s military quickly retaliated with airstrikes against suspected militant hideouts in Afghanistan. While this swift military action may have been necessary to show strength, it reflects a deeper issue with Pakistan’s defense strategy: a reactive approach to national security rather than a proactive one.

The military’s reliance on airstrikes as the primary means of retaliation against insurgents is a temporary solution that does little to address the root causes of cross-border militancy. The recurring use of airstrikes as a response to militant activity highlights a failure to secure long-term peace through diplomatic means, comprehensive border security measures, and intelligence-sharing.

This reactive approach also risks alienating neighboring countries and exacerbating regional instability. Pakistan’s military actions, while justified in terms of self-defense, often lead to collateral damage and civilian casualties, which in turn fuel further resentment and provide insurgent groups with propaganda to recruit more fighters.

The Government’s Role: Diplomatic Inaction and Strategic Failures

The Pakistani government has failed to formulate a cohesive strategy for dealing with the growing cross-border militancy emanating from Afghanistan. While the military has been on the front lines of counterterrorism efforts, the government’s diplomacy has been largely ineffective in addressing the root causes of the conflict. Pakistan’s engagement with the Taliban, despite years of negotiation, has failed to yield concrete results. The government’s diplomatic efforts have largely been reactive, focused on damage control after each attack, rather than proactive measures to secure long-term peace.

One of the key failures of the Pakistani government is its failure to push for stronger international pressure on the Taliban to fulfill its commitments regarding counterterrorism. While Pakistan has repeatedly called on the Taliban to prevent insurgents from using Afghan soil for cross-border attacks, it has not been able to gain sufficient leverage in its dealings with the Taliban. The lack of a clear, robust foreign policy strategy has left Pakistan vulnerable to the escalating violence at the hands of insurgent groups.

Furthermore, Pakistan’s inability to build trust with Afghanistan’s civilian government, despite years of military and political engagement, underscores a broader problem in Pakistan’s foreign policy approach. Instead of forging a more strategic relationship with Afghanistan’s leadership, Pakistan has opted for reliance on military solutions, which have proven to be short-term and ineffective.

Regional and Global Implications: A Dangerous Precedent

The attack on Pakistan from Afghanistan is not just a bilateral issue; it has far-reaching implications for regional and global stability. The attack comes at a time when Pakistan is already facing mounting internal pressures, including political instability, economic challenges, and a growing humanitarian crisis. The violence along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border only exacerbates these challenges and undermines Pakistan’s efforts to stabilize its internal situation.

Additionally, the ongoing instability in Pakistan poses a direct threat to regional security, particularly in South Asia. With both India and Pakistan being nuclear-armed nations, any escalation of violence between the two countries could have catastrophic consequences. The failure of Pakistan’s military and government to secure its borders and contain cross-border militancy increases the likelihood of accidental or intentional escalation, which could lead to broader regional conflict.

The international community, including the United Nations, the U.S., and China, must play a more active role in helping to mediate between Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, without effective diplomacy and a commitment from all parties to tackle insurgency and militancy in the region, the threat of further attacks and regional instability remains high.

A Critical Moment for Pakistan’s National Security

The attack from Afghanistan is a critical moment for Pakistan. It highlights the failure of both the Pakistani military and government to address the root causes of cross-border militancy and their inability to secure the country’s borders effectively. While the military's swift response may have provided a temporary sense of security, it does little to resolve the underlying issues that have plagued Pakistan’s national security for years.

Pakistan’s leadership must recognize that a more comprehensive, proactive approach is needed to secure the country’s borders and protect its citizens. This includes investing in long-term diplomatic solutions, securing stronger regional cooperation, and developing more effective counterterrorism strategies. Without these efforts, Pakistan will continue to face the growing threat of cross-border militancy and insurgency, undermining its stability and regional security.

This Image is taken from Al Jazeera.