Pakistan-Taliban Clash: Why India Is Being Dragged Into It

Pakistan has escalated its conflict with the Afghan Taliban and carried out airstrikes on Kabul and Kandahar after cross-border clashes. Afghanistan says civilians were killed. Amid this tension, Islamabad has blamed India for backing the Taliban and the TTP. India and the Taliban have both rejected these claims. Experts believe Pakistan is shifting focus from its own internal problems.

How The Conflict Escalated Fast

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan were already high. After deadly clashes along the Durand Line in October 2025, a ceasefire was arranged through mediation in Doha. That fragile truce now looks broken.

Afghanistan first launched retaliatory strikes across the border after what it called Pakistani aggression. Within hours, Pakistan responded with airstrikes targeting Kabul and Kandahar. Islamabad claimed it killed 70 militants. Kabul rejected that statement and said dozens of civilians, including women and children, died in the strikes.

The violence has shaken an already unstable border. Suicide bombings, air raids, and ground battles have become frequent. Trust is almost gone.

The TTP Factor Behind The Tension

Pakistan has accused the Afghan Taliban of sheltering the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. Islamabad says TTP fighters are launching attacks from Afghan soil. Kabul denies this repeatedly.

The TTP issue is serious for Pakistan. The group has carried out deadly attacks inside the country. But instead of resolving matters through direct talks, Pakistan has chosen public accusations. That has widened the gap.

Analysts say Pakistan expected the Taliban to follow its line after the US withdrawal. But the Taliban leadership is not interested in being controlled. That miscalculation has hurt ties.

Why India’s Name Is Being Pulled In

Pakistan has accused India of propping up the Taliban and even backing the TTP. New Delhi has called these claims baseless. The Taliban too dismissed the allegations.

India has maintained diplomatic outreach with Afghanistan, mainly focused on humanitarian aid and development support. After a 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit Afghanistan, India sent 15 tonnes of food and medical supplies to Balkh and Samangan. That gesture was widely noted.

Afghanistan’s foreign minister also visited India last year, and talks were held about reopening the Indian embassy in Kabul. These steps made Islamabad uneasy.

Pakistan has long seen Afghanistan as part of its strategic space. Losing that influence is uncomfortable. Dragging India into the conflict creates a familiar narrative at home.

Domestic Pressures Inside Pakistan

Pakistan is facing internal strains. The economy remains fragile. Political divisions are sharp. The handling of former Prime Minister Imran Khan has added to public debate.

In such times, external blame often works as a diversion. Pointing towards India helps rally support. It shifts attention from economic stress and governance questions.

Experts say the establishment needs a strong justification for military action across the border. Linking India to the Taliban provides that explanation, at least domestically.

The Bigger Regional Picture

The India-Afghanistan relationship has always been a sensitive subject for Pakistan. Even humanitarian engagement is viewed with suspicion in Islamabad. The idea that Kabul may not depend solely on Pakistan changes regional equations.

Afghanistan, on the other hand, resists interference. It has accused Pakistan of acting like a big brother. That attitude has damaged whatever goodwill once existed.

The present conflict may calm down, or it may deepen. Much depends on whether dialogue replaces airstrikes. For now, one thing is clear. Pakistan’s battle with the Taliban is real, but the India angle appears more political than factual. In South Asia, narratives move as fast as missiles, sometimes faster.