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Ghudwana (Pashto: غدوانه; Urdu: غدوانہ) is a territory located at the Afghanistan–Pakistan border. It has historically been a part of Terwa District in Paktika Province of Afghanistan; however, several international and Pakistani media outlets reported that Pakistani forces seized the 32 kilometres square territory in February 2026 in the wake of the 2026 Afghanistan–Pakistan war. There has not been any official confirmation yet,[1] but The Jerusalem Post said two Pakistani security officials confirmed the claim.[2]

Etymology

Ghudwana is derived from Pashto terms ghud (“unbeatable”) and wānā (“town”). As such, ghudwānā means “town of the unbeatable” in Pashto.[citation needed]

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.[3] The Taliban led two sieges of Ghudwana in 2015.[4] It was also reportedly used for transporting explosive materials from Afghanistan into Pakistan by ex-TTP elements.[5]

In August 2021, Taliban forces captured Ghudwana during the 2021 Taliban offensive from the IRA and allied forces.[4]

2026 Afghanistan–Pakistan war

In February 2026, during the 2026 Afghanistan–Pakistan war, it was reported that the Pakistan Armed Forces had captured 32 square kilometres (12 sq mi) of Ghudwana.[6][7][2] According to The Jerusalem Post, two Pakistani security officials confirmed that that Pakistani soldiers were still holding the Ghudwana area in southern Afghanistan as of early March.[8][6][need quotation to verify]

On 27 March 2026, BBC News released satellite images, sourcing Planet Labs, of the newly installed fencing in the Ghudwana sector.[a] Taliban leader Haji Khan Siddiq, however, denied all reports of fencing in the Paktika Province.[9] 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.[12]

Speaking to Deutsche Welle, Ali K. Chishti, a Riyadh-based security analyst confirmed the establishment of a buffer zone in the territory, but believed that Pakistan was not seeking formal annexation of any Afghan territory. He further characterised it to be a temporary measure.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Hasrat-Nazimi, Waslat (4 January 2026). “Is Pakistan setting up a buffer zone in Afghanistan?”. Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  2. ^ a b “Pakistan and Afghanistan in ‘open war’ | The Jerusalem Post”. The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2026-03-02. Retrieved 2026-04-03. Islamabad has declared that Pakistani forces are still holding a 32 square-kilometer position in the Ghudwana Enclave in the Zhob sector of Southeastern Afghanistan, an area known as a key strategic zone of the Afghan Taliban as of Sunday, March 1, according to statements from two Pakistani security officials.
  3. ^ Nazar, Nuzhat (1 March 2026). “Strategically significant ‘Ghudwana enclave’ secured”. Business Recorder. Archived from the original on 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  4. ^ a b “Taliban besiege Paktika’s Waza Khwa district”. Pajhwok Afghan News. 2015-11-05. Retrieved 2026-03-26.
  5. ^ DESK, NEWS (2020-10-22). “Cache of explosive materials belonging to TTP recovered”. The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2026-03-29.
  6. ^ a b “Afghanistan says it thwarted Pakistani airstrike on Bagram Air Base as fighting enters 4th day”. The Washington Post. 1 March 2026. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  7. ^ “Pakistan army hits Afghan Taliban drone storage facility, ammunition depot in Jalalabad”. Arab News. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
  8. ^ “Pakistan and Afghanistan in ‘open war’“. The Jerusalem Post. 2 March 2026. Islamabad has declared that Pakistani forces are still holding a 32 square-kilometer position in the Ghudwana Enclave in the Zhob sector of Southeastern Afghanistan, an area known as a key strategic zone of the Afghan Taliban as of Sunday, March 1, according to statements from two Pakistani security officials.
  9. ^ a b “آیا پاکستان بخشی از خاک افغانستان را تصرف کرده است؟” [Has Pakistan occupied part of Afghanistan’s territory?]. BBC News دری (in Dari). 2026-03-27. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
  10. ^ “ایا پاکستان د افغانستان د خاورې یوه برخه لاندې کړې ده؟” [Has Pakistan annexed a part of Afghanistan?]. BBC News پښتو (in Pashto (Afghanistan)). 2026-03-27. Retrieved 2026-03-29.
  11. ^ “کیا حالیہ دنوں میں پاکستان نے افغانستان کے کچھ علاقے پر قبضہ کر لیا ہے؟” [Has Pakistan occupied some of Afghanistan’s territory in recent days?]. BBC News اردو (in Urdu). 2026-03-29. Retrieved 2026-03-29.
  12. ^ “Afghan–Pakistani border: UN experts urgently call for lasting peace”. OHCHR. 24 March 2026. Retrieved 30 March 2026.

Notes