Ghudwana
Territory at the Afghanistan–Pakistan border
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ghudwana (Pashto: غدوانه) is a territory located at the Afghanistan–Pakistan border. It has historically been a part of Terwa District in Paktika Province of Afghanistan.
Ghudwana
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|---|---|
Territory | |
Map of the Ghudwana Territory between the two districts | |
  Ghudwana Ghudwana (Afganistan) | |
| Coordinates: 31°44′46″N 68°28′33″E | |
| Status | |
| Provinces |
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| Districts |
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| Area | |
• Total | 12 sq mi (32 km2) |
| Time zone | UTC+04:30 (AFT) |
In the 2026 Afghanistan–Pakistan war, some media outlets reported that the territory had been occupied by Pakistani armed forces. According to Deutsche Welle, the claim could not to be independently verified.[1] It has been denied by the Taliban government.
History
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
During the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), Ghudwana became a strategically key staging zone for the Afghan Taliban and other militant groups against the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and allied forces.[2] The Taliban led two sieges of Ghudwana in 2015.[3] It was also reportedly used for transporting explosive materials from Afghanistan into Pakistan by ex-TTP elements.[4]
In August 2021, Taliban forces captured Ghudwana during the 2021 Taliban offensive from the IRA and allied forces.[3]
2026 Afghanistan–Pakistan war
In February 2026, during the 2026 Afghanistan–Pakistan war, several Pakistani security officials claimed that Pakistan Armed Forces had captured 32 square kilometres (12 sq mi) of Ghudwana.[5][6][7] According to The Jerusalem Post, two Pakistani security officials claimed Pakistani soldiers holding the Ghudwana area in southern Afghanistan as of early March.[7][5]
On 27 March 2026, BBC News released satellite images, sourcing Planet Labs, of the newly installed fencing in the Ghudwana sector, noting that the fence had separated the territory from Afghanistan.[a] According to BBC, the Taliban had denied any Pakistani advance across the line. Taliban leader Haji Khan Siddiq denied all reports of fencing in the Paktika Province.[8] The OHCHR and several UN experts put out a statement flagging the military presence in the Paktika Province as a breach of the UN Charter, which prohibits force against another state’s territorial integrity.[11]
According to Deutsche Welle, official sources in Islamabad have not confirmed any such establishment of a border zone, and it could not be independently verified.[1]