The Battle of Ghudwana was a five-day military engagement fought between the Pakistan Armed Forces and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) along the disputed Durand Line border from 28 February to 4 March 2026. The clashes centered on the village of Ghudwana in Pakistan's Zhob District and adjacent areas in Afghanistan's Spin Boldak District. Pakistani forces repelled Afghan incursions, captured strategic territory, and inflicted significant casualties on Afghan forces and allied Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants.
The battle was the largest conventional military confrontation between the two countries since the Taliban's return to power in 2021. It followed weeks of escalating cross-border attacks by TTP militants operating from Afghan soil, which Pakistan had repeatedly protested to the Afghan government. A ceasefire brokered by tribal elders took effect on 4 March, with Pakistani forces consolidating their positions along the border.
Syed Abrar Hussain (سید ابرار حسین) is a retired Pakistani career diplomat best known for his service as Pakistan's Ambassador to Afghanistan, Kuwait and Nepal.
Mian Gul Akbar Zeb (; born 1954) is a former Pakistani diplomat and a member of the former royal family of Swat. He is the grandson of Miangul Jahan Zeb, (Wali of Swat) and son-in-law of the former Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Miangul Aurangzeb. He has been in the Foreign Service of Pakistan since 1979 and has accomplished various assignments abroad and at home.
Mian Gul Akbar Zeb was born on 15 February 1954 to Miangul Alam Zeb at Saidu Sharif in the former ruling family of Swat. After graduation from the Cambridge University, he joined the Foreign Office of Pakistan in 1979 and since then accomplished various assignment at home and abroad.
Assignments
- Section Officer, European Department. 1982–1983
- First & Second Secretary, Washington DC 1983–1987
- Director, MOFA in Africa, Afghanistan and the Foreign Secretary's Office 1988–1994
- Counselor (Political), New Delhi 1994–1999
- Deputy High Commissioner, New Delhi 1999–2000
- Director General, European Department. 2000–2002
- Director General Americas 2002–2004
- High Commissioner, to South Africa 2004–2005
- Ambassador to Afghanistan 2005–2008
- Pakistani High Commissioner to Canada 2009–2014 (Retired).
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Achanak is a bhangra group signed to the label Nachural Records. The band has six members headed by lead singer, Vijay Bhatti and are based in the English Midlands.