The recent visit of Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to New Delhi has brought the simmering tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan to the forefront. Muttaqi’s warning to Pakistan to “stop playing games” with Afghanistan and accusations of violating Afghan sovereignty through airstrikes reflect the deep-seated mistrust and animosity disregarding the ground realities.
The core issue driving this tension is cross-border terrorism emanating from Afghanistan, with the Taliban regime’s inaction fueling the flames. Analysts believe Muttaqi’s visit marked a significant development in India-Taliban relations, with India upgrading its mission in Kabul to a full embassy. This move is seen as a strategic attempt to counter Pakistan’s influence and exploit Afghanistan as a base for terrorism against Pakistan. All official quarters of Islamabad are repeatedly accusing Kabul of harboring terrorists of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while the interim Taliban government denies these claims, accusing Pakistan of violating Afghan sovereignty through airstrikes.
The core issue driving this tension is cross-border terrorism emanating from Afghanistan, with the Taliban regime’s inaction fueling the flames.
The evidence suggests India is actively facilitating terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil to destabilize Pakistan. India’s involvement in Afghanistan is part of a broader regional strategic rivalry. New Delhi has strengthened ties with Afghanistan’s Taliban, using the country as a base to support anti-Pakistan activities. India’s extensive aid programs in Afghanistan have been used for dual purposes, including bolstering groups hostile to Pakistan under the guise of humanitarian assistance. The alarming statistical insights about surging terror wave in Pakistan merit serious attention.
As per figures, terrorism-related incidents in Pakistan have surged by 60% since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan, resulting in over 2,267 deaths. Among those killed, 161 Afghans have died in terrorism-related incidents inside Pakistan, underlining the role of Afghan nationals in these attacks. Terrorism in Pakistan remains severe, with the situation worsening in 2025. Pakistan witnessed a 46 percent surge in violence in the third quarter of 2025 alone, with 901 fatalities and 599 injuries in 329 violent incidents, many linked to terrorism.
The overall death toll for the year has nearly matched the 2,546 fatalities recorded in all of 2024, evidencing the intensification of militant violence and counter-terrorism operations. Pakistan faces a dire terrorism threat exacerbated by cross-border dynamics. The state authorities contend that the Afghan Taliban government has not taken effective measures against terrorists based in Afghanistan, despite receiving lists of culprits affiliated with banned groups including the TTP . This inaction facilitates the continuation and planning of terrorist activities targeting Pakistani civilians and security forces.
Indian involvement is seen as part of a broader regional strategic rivalry, as New Delhi taking Taliban regime in fold to bleed Pakistan using the dagger of terrorism . India’s support for anti-Pakistan activities from Afghan soil extends beyond historical episodes from the 1990s and continues to the present day.
Evidence includes establishment and use of multiple Indian consulates in Afghanistan, which serve as hub for intelligence to launch covert terrorist operations inside Pakistan. This multifaceted approach reflects India’s strategic exploitation of Afghan territory as a base to support proxies and terrorist groups against Pakistan, even while publicly affirming commitments to counterterrorism and peace in the region. Such foul actions expose a regular Indian pattern of leveraging Afghan soil to weaken Pakistan in security, stability, diplomatic and economic domains. Undeniably, Islamabad seems steadfast in exposing role of New Delhi in fomenting terrorism and responding decisively to all threats originating from Afghanistan based Indian proxies, whether covert or overt.
Ironically, Taliban regime has failed to act against banned TTP and BLA terrorists operating from Afghan soil. Instead, terror infrastructure has expanded, infiltration intensified and Afghan territory is now being used to wage a proxy war against Pakistan and more glaringly now in coordination with India. It is about time for Afghan Taliban to choose between peace with Islamabad or partnership with terrorist’s vis a vis Pakistan’s arch rival India. There is no middle ground anymore. Pakistan has sent a clear message to defend its people and sovereignty using all available legal, diplomatic and strategic options.
The writer is a student.