2026 Afghanistan–Pakistan war

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Afghanistan–Pakistan war
Part of the Afghanistan–Pakistan border skirmishes and the spillover of the insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the insurgency in Balochistan
Pakistan Afghanistan locator.svg
Afghanistan (orange) and Pakistan (green)
Date21 February 2026 – present (1 week and 4 days)
Location
Status Ongoing
Belligerents
Flag of Pakistan.svg Pakistan
Commanders and leaders
Units involved
Balochistan Flag.svg Balochistan Liberation Army
Casualties and losses
  • Pakistani claim:
  • Flag of Pakistan.svg 12 soldiers killed, 27 injured [8]
    Afghan Taliban claim:
  • Flag of Pakistan.svg 150 soldiers killed, 200+ injured [9] [10] [11]
  • Afghan Taliban claim:
  • Flag of the Taliban.svg 28 soldiers killed, 42 injured [a]
  • Local Afghan sources:
  • Flag of the Taliban.svg 15 soldiers killed [b]
  • 1 ammunition depot [c]
  • 1 airport [14]
  • 5 military installations [d]
  • Pakistani claim:
  • Variant flag of the Islamic State.svg 80 TTP militants killed [18]
  • Flag of the Taliban.svg 481 Taliban militants killed, 696+ injured [19]
  • Satellite Imagery:
  • 4 military installations [e]
  • 2 ammunition depot [f]
  • 37 Afghan civilians killed, 26 injured (per Afghanistan)
  • 13 Afghan civilians killed and 7 injured in Pakistani airstrikes (per UNAMA) [24] [25]

On 21 February 2026, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) conducted a series of airstrikes over the provinces of Nangarhar, Paktika, and Khost [26] in Afghanistan with the stated aim of targeting seven alleged militant camps belonging to the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) and the Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISIS–K) in retaliation for recent terrorist attacks in Islamabad, Bajaur, and Bannu. Pakistan blamed the Afghan government for facilitating the attacks.

Contents

Afghan officials stated that the airstrikes targeted civilian targets and religious centres and resulted in 18 civilian fatalities in Nangarhar province. [27] [28] [29] [26] Pakistani officials denied Afghan authorities' allegations of targeting civilians in Afghanistan, while The Express Tribune , citing military sources, reported 80 militant fatalities. [18] [30] While UNAMA also confirmed civilian casualties, Afghanistan condemned Pakistan's airstrikes and vowed a calculated response to the aggression. [31] [32]

On 26 February 2026, Afghanistan launched a retaliatory operation against Pakistan, engaging in border clashes and drone attacks on Pakistan. In response, Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab Lil Haq [g] against the Taliban. [33] [34] This operation followed an escalation in border skirmishes and cross-border firing incidents along the Durand Line, involving the Afghan Taliban and Pakistan Armed Forces. [35] The following day, Defence Minister of Pakistan Khawaja Asif announced a state of "open war" with Afghanistan, with Pakistan escalating its airstrikes and striking targets throughout Afghanistan, including the capital of Kabul. [36]

Background

The conflict occurred against the backdrop of long-running tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban government of Afghanistan, centred on Pakistan's accusations that Afghan soil is used as a safe haven by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militants to launch attacks inside Pakistan. [32] [37] While on 19 October 2025, a Qatar-mediated ceasefire was brokered after the deadliest cross-border clashes in years, [32] [37] [38] [39] its practical implementation was fragile, as the subsequent talks failed to produce a lasting agreement, resulting in continued low-level skirmishes. [32] [37] [40] The operation took place days after the Saudi Arabian-mediated release of three Pakistani soldiers captured during the October 2025 clashes. [28]

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (second from left) visiting Khadija Tul Kubra Mosque in Islamabad on 12 February 2026, following a suicide attack six days prior that Pakistan blamed on Afghanistan PM Shehbaz Khadija Tul Kubra Mosque.png
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (second from left) visiting Khadija Tul Kubra Mosque in Islamabad on 12 February 2026, following a suicide attack six days prior that Pakistan blamed on Afghanistan

On 11 February 2026, Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that Pakistan may take action against militants in Afghanistan before the start of the Islamic month of Ramadan if the Taliban fail to deter militant activities from the territory under their control. [41] In February 2026, Pakistan experienced multiple terror attacks on its territory, notably a series of attacks throughout the province of Balochistan over the course of a week from 29 January to 5 February by the Balochistan Liberation Army, a suicide bombing at a Shia mosque on 6 February by the Islamic State's Pakistan Province in the capital city of Islamabad which killed 36 people, and an attack on a checkpoint in Bajaur on 16 February by the Pakistani Taliban which killed 11 soldiers and a child. In response to the latter, the Pakistani government issued a démarche to the Afghan ambassador on 19 February. [42] [43] [44] A warning followed that Pakistan "would not hesitate" to launch air operations inside Afghanistan if the Taliban government did not take action against militant groups using its territory. [45] [46] [47]

Conflict

Airstrikes

During the late hours of 21 February, local sources in Afghanistan reported airstrikes in parts of Nangarhar, Paktika, and Khost provinces. In Nangarhar, the strikes were reported in Bihsud and Khogyani districts, while in Paktika, they were reported in Barmal and Urgun districts. Local sources also reported strikes in parts of Khost province, although no further details were provided. Local sources report that the airstrikes in Nangarhar province's Bihsud district struck a civilian home, trapping 23 people beneath the rubble. [26]

In a late-night press release, Pakistani officials confirmed that the Pakistan Air Force had carried out airstrikes in Afghanistan. Officials said the strikes were selective and intelligence-based, and targeted seven militant camps and hideouts linked to the Pakistani Taliban and Islamic State Khorasan Province near the Pakistan–Afghanistan border. Additionally, Pakistan's officials stated that the strikes were conducted as retaliation for the recent terror attacks in Islamabad, Bajaur, and Bannu. [48] [18] A Pakistani newspaper, citing military sources, reported that the seven TTP hideouts in Nangarhar, Paktika, and Khost provinces were destroyed and that more than 80 militants were killed; [18] however, Taliban officials in Afghanistan stated that airstrikes took place in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces. They said an airstrike in Bihsud District killed 18 civilians, including 11 children. Afghan Taliban officials also condemned the airstrikes and warned of a calculated response at an appropriate time. [25] [49]

Shayesteh Jan Ahadi, former head of the Paktia Provincial Council, stated that Pakistani airstrikes in several districts were very widespread and powerful. [50] The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported that Pakistan carried out airstrikes between 11:45 p.m. on 21 February and 12:15 a.m. on 22 February. UNAMA also reported that airstrikes in Paktika province damaged or destroyed infrastructure. On 23 February, UNAMA confirmed that over thirteen civilians had been killed by the Pakistani airstrikes, with an additional seven injured. [24] [51]

Continued hostilities

24 February

On 24 February, the hostilities resumed as both countries exchanged fire along their borders while both sides blamed each other for provocations. Zabihullah Noorani, head of the Afghan information department in eastern Nangarhar, stated that Pakistani troops carried out the first shots in the Shahkot area near the border. [52]

26 February

On 26 February, at around 20:00 local time (15:30 GMT), Taliban-led Afghanistan's officials announced the launch of what they described as a "retaliatory operation" along the border in the provinces of Nangarhar, Nuristan, Kunar, Khost, Paktia, and Paktika. [53] As per the Taliban officials, 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed, and several others were captured. Taliban-led Afghanistan's officials further added that one military headquarters and 19 border outposts had been captured, while 4 border outposts were destroyed during the operation. [54] Zabihullah Mujahid named seven of the border outposts that Taliban officials claimed to have captured. According to reports, the outposts were located inside Afghanistan, and it remained unclear how border outposts belonging to Pakistani forces were located on Afghan soil. [55] At midnight local time (19:30 GMT), the Taliban-led Afghan Ministry of Defense announced the end of its four-hour operation. Pakistani officials rejected Taliban claims and stated that military action against Taliban forces was continuing. They further added that the attack had been repulsed, that the Taliban had suffered heavy losses, and that two Pakistani soldiers had been killed and three others were injured during the four-hour engagement. [56]

In response to the Taliban's operation, Pakistan launched operation Ghazab Lil Haq and carried out air and ground strikes against Afghan Taliban positions in Kabul, Kandahar, Paktia, and Nangarhar. [57] Faisal Karim Kundi, governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stated that the Afghan Taliban started the war and Pakistan will be the one to end it, [58] while Khawaja Asif, Pakistan's defense minister, announced the start of 'open war' between the two countries. [59] Pakistani officials stated that around 133 Taliban fighters were killed and more than 200 were injured during the clashes and subsequent operation. They further added that the airstrikes destroyed two corps headquarters, three brigade headquarters, two ammunition depots, one logistics base, three battalion headquarters, two sector headquarters, and more than 80 tanks, artillery pieces, and APCs (armoured personnel carriers). Pakistani officials also said that 27 border posts held by Taliban forces were destroyed and nine were captured. [60] Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed airstrikes in Kabul, Kandahar, Paktia, and several other locations, and stated that these airstrikes did not cause any casualties. [61] The Taliban spokesperson also announced on X (formerly Twitter) that Taliban forces had responded to the airstrikes with attacks against Pakistani troops along the border, although the post was later deleted. [62]

In Kabul, residents reported that airstrikes struck an ammunition depot near Darulaman, triggering hours of secondary explosions that rattled homes across the capital. [13] [63] Residents also reported hearing the sound of many ambulance sirens following the airstrike on the ammunition depot. [59] Satellite images reviewed by The New York Times confirmed an airstrike on an ammunition depot in Kabul. [23] Additionally, satellite imagery released by Planet Labs revealed damage at two locations in Kabul, which are 400 meters apart. In Gardez, scorch marks and damage to four buildings at a military base belonging to Taliban forces were visible from satellite imagery. Furthermore, NASA gathered and published data indicating a significant heat signature at the military base, suggesting that a sizeable fire had erupted at the site overnight. [20] In Kandahar, Pakistan's officials released aerial footage of a large explosion at an ammunition depot near Kandahar International Airport. BBC News, using satellite imagery, confirmed the location of an ammunition depot in Kandahar. In Paktika, a video shared on social media showed smoke rising from a Taliban military base in the Urgun District. BBC News confirmed the location by matching roads and a distinctive foreground building with satellite imagery. [21] Analysts at Maiar, an intelligence firm, stated that Pakistan's strikes on buildings and other infrastructure in Afghanistan appeared to be largely confined to military sites. They said that one of the buildings struck in Kabul appeared to be a military headquarters or command-and-control centre, and that vehicles parked nearby suggested the building had been occupied. In Kandahar, the analysts reported damage to at least two buildings within a large complex, which they assessed to be a headquarters of some kind. [22]

The airstrikes carried out by the Pakistan Air Force in Kandahar province also struck the former home of Mullah Omar, the late founder of the Taliban, which was currently serving as a base for the Taliban's suicide unit. The property is located about one kilometer from the residence of the current Taliban leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada. According to local Afghan sources, about 15 Taliban members were killed in the strike. Elsewhere in the province, parts of Spin Boldak District were also struck. [12] Following Pakistan's airstrikes on Kabul and Kandahar, Zabihullah Mujahid stated that the Taliban were ready to negotiate with Pakistan. [59]

27 February

In the morning, the Pakistan Air Force carried out airstrikes in parts of Paktika and Laghman provinces, according to local Afghan sources. The airstrike in Laghman targeted the 201 Khalid Ibn Walid Corps, while the one in Paktika struck a house. [15] However, according to some Afghan sources, the Taliban-led Afghan armed forces base in Paktika was the one that was struck by the Pakistan Air Force. [16] Afghan local sources also report an airstrike on the Taliban-led Afghan border brigade in Paktika province. [64] Later the same day, at around noon, the Taliban-led Afghan border brigade in Gardez city was also struck by an airstrike carried out by Pakistan's air force. [17] An additional airstrike in parts of Nangarhar was also reported by local Afghan sources. [65] The Taliban-led Afghan armed forces base in Khost Province was also struck in the airstrikes that were carried out on 27 February. [16]

On the same day, the Taliban-led Afghan Ministry of Defense announced that it had carried out airstrikes in Pakistan targeting military sites in Faizabad, Nowshera, Jamrud, and Abbottabad. The ministry did not provide details about the type of aircraft or equipment allegedly used in the attacks. [66] Pakistani officials, however, stated that attempts to strike in Abbottabad, Swabi, and Nowshera using small drones had been foiled using anti-drone systems. They denied that any strike had taken place in Faizabad or Jamrud, [67] and said that these attacks were the work of the Pakistani Taliban rather than the Afghan Taliban. [68] The drone in Swabi crashed near a girls' school, injuring a student. [69] A quadcopter attack on a mosque in Bannu injured five worshippers. Pakistan subsequently imposed a countrywide ban on drone flights. [70]

During the same day, Pakistan's army spokesperson stated that Operation Ghazab Lil Haq was continuing successfully against the Afghan Taliban. He said Pakistani forces had repulsed insurgents at 53 border locations, killing 274 militants, injuring more than 400. He added that 73 Afghan Taliban posts had been destroyed, 18 had been captured, and 115 tanks and armoured vehicles had also been destroyed. He also said Pakistani forces had targeted militant infrastructure at 22 locations in Kandahar, Paktia, Nangarhar, Khost, and Paktika. He added that 12 Pakistani soldiers were killed, 27 were wounded, and one is missing in action. [71] Pakistan's officials also released videos of their strikes in Afghanistan. [72]

Later that day, Afghan Taliban officials announced that they had launched a new wave of attacks against Pakistani border guards in the border areas of Khost and Paktia provinces. [73] The fighting later spread to the border areas of Kunar and Nangarhar provinces. [74] The same day, Pakistani Taliban leader Noor Wali Mehsud ordered the group's fighters to intensify and systematically carry out attacks in support of the Afghan Taliban. He also instructed them to post video evidence of their attacks directly on social media without prior permission. [1] Jamaat ul Ahrar, an offshoot of the Pakistani Taliban, also ordered its fighters to intensify attacks in Pakistan in response to Pakistani airstrikes against the Afghan Taliban. It also said that its fighters would step up attacks in the provinces of Sindh and Punjab. [7] Following these orders, militant attacks on Police stations and outposts were reported in Peshawar, Bannu, Hangu, and Mattani, injuring a police officer and a civilian. [75]

28 February

In the early hours, clashes between Pakistan border guards and Afghan Taliban had been reported along the border areas of Torkham. [76] Later on, an airstrike was carried out by the Pakistan Air Force on an airport in Jalalabad, the provincial capital of Nangarhar province. An AFP journalist reported hearing sounds of two loud explosions from the direction of Jalalabad airport. [14] Pakistan's media outlet also reported an airstrike in Nangarhar province targeting several Taliban headquarters. [77] On the same day, Afghan forces claimed a Pakistani fighter was shot down over Jalalabad using anti-aircraft guns, with the pilot captured alive. [78] Pakistan rejected the Afghan Taliban's claim, labeling it as wartime propaganda. [79] Afterwards, the detained individual was severely beaten by the Afghan Taliban and locals, while being paraded through the market area in Jalalabad, with Taliban officials terming the event as an important war operation. However, later on, it was revealed that the pilot that Afghan forces captured was an ordinary Afghan national who was a parachutist and had no connection to the Pakistani army. Further investigation also revealed that news of downing a fighter jet was false, and the detained individual was later released. [80] [81] [82]

Elsewhere, the Pakistan Air Force carried out airstrikes in parts of Khost, [83] Kandahar provinces, [84] and Kabul. [85] [86] Taliban-led Afghan government deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat said that 52 people had been killed and 66 others injured as a result of Pakistani attacks on the provinces of Paktika, Khost, Kunar, Nangarhar, and Kandahar. The Taliban-led Afghan Ministry of Defense said that 110 Pakistani soldiers had been killed and 27 Pakistani border posts had been captured. [87] The ministry also said that it had attacked Pakistani military sites in Miranshah and Spinwam, though Pakistan's officials denied that any such attack had taken place. [88] [ non-primary source needed ] On the same day, an attack by Pakistani Taliban on Sra Khawra police checkpost in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa injured one policeman and 6 civilians. [89]

Separately, Pakistan's officials said that 352 Afghan Taliban members had been killed and more than 535 wounded since the fighting began. They added that Pakistani forces had destroyed 130 Taliban border posts, captured 26 others, and destroyed 171 tanks and armoured personnel carriers belonging to Afghan Taliban forces. The officials also said that the Pakistan Air Force had targeted 41 locations in Afghanistan, including brigade and battalion headquarters in Nangarhar province and an army headquarters in Kandahar province. [90] Later on the day, clashes resumed between Pakistan border guards and Afghan Taliban forces along the border areas of Nangarhar, Khost, and Paktia provinces. Taliban-led Afghan armed forces' 203rd Mansouri Corps in Paktia released a video depicting fresh forces being dispatched to areas near the border. [91]

1 March

On 1 March 2026, Pakistan's information minister, Attaullah Tarar, stated that Pakistan Air Force's airstrikes had hit 46 locations across Afghanistan since the operation's beginning, including Bagram Airfield. [92] Pakistan claimed to have killed 415 soldiers for the loss of 12 of its own. An Afghan spokesperson counter-claimed that 80 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 27 military posts captured for the loss of 13 soldiers. [93] Pakistani security forces also claimed to have taken control of 32 square kilometres (12 sq mi) of strategic Afghan territory south of the Zhob sector. [92] [94] This strategic territory, near the Kandahar Province, is known as the Ghudwana enclave. [95]

2 March

Pakistani security sources told Reuters that Pakistani forces continued to conduct airstrikes and ground attacks, and that they had destroyed ammunition depots in Khost and Jalalabad, as well as a drone storage site in Jalalabad, among other targets. [96] Additionally, at around 5 am local time, Pakistani fighter jets launched multiple airstrikes on Bagram Air Base once again. [96] Afghan forces claimed to have repelled the aerial assault using ZU-23 anti-aircraft guns; however, satellite imagery that was later published by the New York Times showed multiple blasts and destroyed buildings at the base, confirming that Bagram Air Base had actually been struck, contrary to Afghan claims. [97] [98] [99]

3 March

Pakistan said Afghan forces attacked Pakistani military positions along the border, triggering clashes that left 67 Afghan fighters and one Pakistani soldier dead. [100]

4 March

The Norwegian Refugee Council reported that a Pakistani artillery attack on an earthquake-affected refugee camp in Khas Kunar District, Kunar province, resulted in three people being killed and seven others being injured, while forcing 650 families from the camp to flee to safety. [101] [102] Reuters reported heavy shelling overnight on both sides of the border and that over 1,500 Afghan families had been displaced and many hundreds more having left border villages. [103]

Censorship

During the conflict, the Taliban's intelligence agency (General Directorate of Intelligence) ordered Afghan domestic media outlets not to cover areas targeted in recent Pakistani airstrikes. In some cases, intelligence personnel monitored media offices and newsroom operations to enforce the directive, and media outlets were warned against defying the order. [104] Taliban intelligence officials also warned residents against publishing images or details of locations in Afghanistan targeted by Pakistani strikes. [105] Afghan local sources stated that the Taliban were restricting access to information about their own casualties, as well as those among civilians. They added that only Taliban members were allowed to take images of affected areas and victims, making independent verification of casualties and damage difficult. [106] On 1 March, the Taliban suspended the broadcasts of Rah-e-Farda radio and television in Kabul, a channel affiliated with Mohammad Mohaqiq. The suspension was linked to remarks by Mohammad Mohaqiq, which reportedly criticized the Taliban's recent retaliatory attacks against Pakistan. [107]

Reactions

Domestic

International

State actors

  • Flag of India.svg India: Randhir Jaiswal, the Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, expressed strong condemnation of the strikes and expressed support for Afghanistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity. [109]
  • Flag of Qatar.svg Qatar: Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi discussed with Pakistani Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar on ways to reduce tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan, thereby strengthening security and stability in the region. [110] [ failed verification ]
  • Flag of Russia.svg Russia: The Russian government offered to mediate the situation and urged both nations to halt cross-border attacks. [110]
  • Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Saudi Arabia: Prince Faisal bin Farhan discussed ways with the Pakistani government to reduce regional tensions during a phone call. [111]
  • Flag of the United States.svg United States: The United States stated that it will continue to monitor the situation closely and expressed support for Pakistan against the Taliban attacks. [110] US President Donald Trump praised both Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir for fighting against Taliban forces. [112]

In addition, Bangladesh, [113] China, [110] Egypt, [114] Iran, [110] Iraq, [115] Jordan, [116] Malaysia, [117] and Uzbekistan [118] also called for a ceasefire to end hostilities and promoted dialogue to resolve border tensions.

Supranational

  • Flag of the United Nations.svg United Nations: UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) urged both nations to cease hostilities and to take steps to prevent harm to civilians. Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, expressed concern over airstrikes in Nangarhar and Paktika, calling on the belligerent parties to exercise "maximum restraint". He stated deep concern for "a significant number of children and civilians" who were killed following the hostilities. [51]
  • Flag of Europe.svg European Union: In a brief statement, the EU Council called on all actors for immediate de-escalation and a halt of hostilities in the area. It reiterated to the Taliban that Afghan territory must not be used to threaten or attack other countries and calls on them to take effective action against all terrorist groups operating in or from Afghanistan. [119]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Casualties suffered from clashes along the border. [9] [10] [11]
  2. ↑ Deaths reported by local Afghan sources from an airstrike on former residence of Mullah Omar in Kandahar. [12]
  3. ↑ 1 ammunition depot in Kabul. [13]
  4. ↑ 1 in Laghman, [15] 1 in Paktika, [16] 1 in Gardez city, [17] 1 in Khost, [16] 1 in Kandahar. [12]
  5. ↑ 1 in Gardez city, [20] 1 in Paktika, [21] 1 in Kabul and 1 in Kandahar. [22]
  6. ↑ 1 ammunition depot in Kabul, [23] 1 ammunition depot in Kandahar. [21]
  7. ↑ Arabic: غضب للحق, lit.  'Wrath for the Truth'

References

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  46. ↑ "Won't hesitate to launch strikes inside Afghanistan: Kh Asif". Dawn . 19 February 2026. Archived from the original on 23 February 2026. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  47. ↑ "Armed forces strike 7 terrorist camps along Pakistan-Afghanistan border in response to recent suicide bombings". Dawn . 22 February 2026. Archived from the original on 23 February 2026. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
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