Why Pakistan and the Taliban are at war with each other

A fragile ceasefire has paused intense, war-like fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan's Taliban administration along their volatile border. The conflict stems from Pakistan's accusation that Kabul is sheltering the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group responsible for a dramatic surge in terrorist attacks. What Islamabad once saw as a strategic victory—the Taliban's 2021 return to power—has now become a security nightmare, making Pakistan the world's second most terrorism-affected country. This situation places the Afghan Taliban in a difficult position, caught between Pakistan's demands and the risk of internal conflict if they move against their ideological allies.