Trump says he gets along 'very, very well' with Pakistan amid rising border conflict

• Trump says he has a strong relationship with Pakistan’s leaders.
• Border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan have sharply increased.
• Pakistan blames Taliban leaders for sheltering TTP fighters.
• Both sides report heavy military and civilian losses.
• The US says it supports Pakistan’s right to self-defense.

President Donald Trump has praised Pakistan and its leadership at a time of growing conflict with Afghanistan. Speaking to reporters in New York or Washington on February 27–28, Trump said he gets along 'very, very well' with Pakistan and described the country as 'doing terrifically well.'

Trump made the comments when asked if the United States would step in to stop what was described as an 'open war' between Pakistan and Afghanistan. He said he respects Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir, calling them 'two of the people that I really respect a lot.'

The conflict between the two neighbors has been building for months. Pakistan has accused Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers of allowing fighters from Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to use Afghan land to plan and carry out attacks inside Pakistan. Recent attacks in areas such as Islamabad, Bajaur, and Bannu have increased tensions.

The situation worsened after Afghan forces reportedly attacked Pakistani border posts. In response, Pakistan launched airstrikes under an operation called 'Ghazab lil Haq,' meaning 'righteous fury.' Pakistani officials said the strikes targeted Taliban positions in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia, including brigade headquarters and ammunition depots.

Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said the country’s patience had run out. He defended the military action as necessary to protect national security.

Casualty numbers from both sides differ and have not been independently confirmed. Pakistan claims it killed 274 Taliban fighters, injured more than 400, and destroyed 83 posts. It also reported 12 Pakistani soldiers killed and 27 injured. Afghan officials, however, claim that 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed or captured. They also reported at least eight Afghan deaths and 11 wounded, and said civilians, including children and students at a religious school, were affected.

Videos shared online show large explosions, fires, and ambulances in different areas. News outlets, including Reuters and The Washington Post, have reported on the rising violence and the sharp claims from both governments. Trump’s remarks were also shared by media platforms such as YouTube, while India’s Amar Ujala covered his comments in detail.

Meanwhile, the US State Department has responded carefully. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker said she spoke with Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch to express condolences for the lives lost in the recent clashes. In a post on X, she said the US continues to monitor the situation and supports Pakistan’s right to defend itself against Taliban attacks.

As tensions remain high, the risk of further violence along the border continues to worry the region and the wider international community.