Pakistan Launches 'Open War' Against Afghanistan After Border Clashes

Feb 27, 2026 - Pakistan has heavily bombed multiple cities in Afghanistan in an “open war” declaration against the country’s Taliban-led authorities, after it accused Afghan forces of launching unprovoked attacks on Pakistani posts along the Durand Line. 

Pakistan’s retaliatory Operation Ghazab lil-Haq began late Thursday (February 26, 2026) night and targeted Taliban military installations, command centres, ammunition depots and posts striking key cities including Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia. It came after Afghan forces attacked Pakistani border troops on Thursday night over earlier air strikes by Islamabad following months of simmering border tensions and periodic exchanges of fire between Pakistani forces and Afghan Taliban fighters.

Unverified reports on both sides have claimed significant casualties.

The Pakistan government has claimed that dozens of Taliban combatants were killed in the strikes with Information Minister Attaullah Tarar saying that at least 133 Afghan Taliban fighters were killed and more than 200 were injured. The Taliban government, on the other hand, says it has shot down a Pakistani aircraft in the conflict.

Global powers, including China and Russia, have called on both countries for restraint and de-escalation. Iran has signalled willingness to help mediate in the crisis.

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