After India: Is Pakistan facing a 2.5-front war?

New tensions across South Asia are reshaping Pakistan’s security outlook. These overlapping challenges resemble a 2.5 front conflict.

The term ‘Two and Half Front War’ also called the 2.5 front war was coined by late General Bipin Rawat, India’s first chief of defence staff to describe the country’s  strategic challenges. He emphasized that the“half front” is also significant battlefield  that requires political will and focus to address.In the changing security environment  of south asia this term has gained a lot of traction among the military strategists. 

The phase now reflects a similar situation for Pakistan. Facing increasing external  pressure and fastly growing domestic instability, the political and military thinkers are  labeling this as a 2.5 front dilemma. These threats could alter Pakistan’s strategic  stance in upcoming years.

The Western front: Afghanistan and Durand Dilemma

The Durand line is an international border spanning 2,604 kilometres in the western  border of Pakistan.This line was created in 1893 by British civil servant Sir Henry  Mortimer Durand. 

Although the Durand line is internationally recognized as the western border of Pakistan, it remains opposed and unrecognized by Afghanistan. 

The Taliban, like previous Afghan governments also officially rejects the Durand line as the legitimate international border with Pakistan. This has been an ongoing issue since the creation of Pakistan in 1947 and has worsened the relationship between both  the countries and also continues to fuel hostilities and deadly border clashes  between the two nations as most recently in October 11 2025.

The Eastern Front: India’s strategic assertiveness

Pakistan shares an international border with a total length of 3,323 kilometers and a  de facto military control line which separates Pakistan illegally occupied Kashmir with Jammu and Kashmir of India. The POK which is illegally occupied by Pakistan is unrecognized and rejected by India which has led to conflicts and heavy tensions between the 2 nations for the past 75 years. 

Pakistan’s ongoing tussle with India continues to shape its defence strategy. The line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir remains tense despite ceasefire agreements in 2021 and most recently in 2025. India’s modernization of its armed forces, upgradation of its border infrastructure and diplomatic efforts through balancing QUAD and BRICS have shifted the strategic balance.

India’s growing defence ties with the USA and France particularly in Intelligence  sharing, surveillance and defence manufacturing has strengthened its deterrence capabilities. From the viewpoint of Islamabad this deeper cooperation signifies a  strategic encirclement.

The ‘Half Front’: Domestic turbulence and political fragmentation 

The ‘Half Front’ or the ‘0.5 front’ in Pakistan’s security context refers to internal instability arising from political division, economic decline and rising militancy. Since 2022, Islamabad has dealt with record inflation, currency devaluation, frequent IMF interventions and bailouts. These have led to social unrest and have weakened state’s capacity.

At the same time conflicts between civilian authorities and the military have created uncertainty in policymaking and governance. Security and military analysts contend that internal division can be as dangerous as external threats.

This Half front or the 0.5 front may represent Islamabad’s most critical battlefield.

Regional realignments and strategic isolation 

Geopolitically, Islamabad is in an increasingly difficult position. Its traditional ally, the  USA, has downgraded relations since the withdrawal from Afghanistan, while India has fostered strong partnerships with Washington and the European Union. The  Middle East, another past source of diplomatic and financial support for Pakistan, has been slowly shifting towards economic progress and neutral diplomacy, leaving Pakistan with fewer allies in times of crisis and conflicts.

Conclusion 

Islamabad’s security can no longer be defined by a single adversary but multiple challenges, which are military, political and economic. Its 2.5 front war reality is a  stark reminder that in the new age or modern era wars are fought not only on  borders but also within societies and communities. 

If Islamabad wants to avoid strategic overstretch, it must heavily invest in domestic  stability, reforms, regional diplomacy and economic reforms rather than military  escalation or outsourcing terrorism to its neighbouring countries. 

If Islamabad fails to achieve these reforms as history warns, countries that try to fight on too many fronts at once often lose on all of them.

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References

1. Bipin Rawat “India Faces a Two-and-a-Half Front War Scenario” Press Statement, Chief of Defense Staff, Indian Armed Forces, 2018.
2. BBC News “Pakistan and Afghanistan Border Clashes Along the Durand Line”  BBC, 11 October 2025. 
3. Reuters “India, Pakistan Reaffirm Ceasefire at LoC Amid Renewed Border  Tension” Reuters, March 2025. 
4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) “Pakistan: 2025 Article IV Consultation  Report” IMF Country Report No. 25/112, 2025. 
5. The Diplomat “India’s Expanding Ties with the US and France: A Strategic  Realignment” The Diplomat, May 2025.