Pakistan strikes targets in Afghan cities as minister brands it 'open war'

Pakistani air strikes hit a weapons depot on the western outskirts of Kabul overnight, triggering hours of secondary explosions that rattled homes across the Afghan capital and left residents fearing further violence.

The strikes were part of a sharp escalation between Pakistan and Afghanistan's Taliban authorities, with the once-close allies also trading cross-border attacks and Pakistan describing the situation as open conflict.

Security sources in Pakistan said the strikes involved air-to-ground missile attacks on Taliban military offices and posts in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia province in response to Afghan attacks on Thursday (26 February).

Retaliation and ground clashes

The Taliban, which denies sponsoring attacks on Pakistan, said it launched retaliatory strikes on Pakistani military installations but remains open to dialogue.

Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif warned, “Our cup of patience has overflowed. Now it is open war between us and you (Afghanistan).”

Both sides reported heavy losses, though figures differ sharply. Pakistani military spokesperson Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said, “An effective, immediate and brutal response was given,” claiming 274 Taliban officials and militants were killed, while at least 12 Pakistani soldiers died.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 19 posts seized. He reported eight fighters killed, 11 wounded and 13 civilians injured in Nangarhar province during retaliatory operations. 

Multiple ground clashes were reported along the border, with Reuters unable to independently verify the casualty figures.

"Pakistani counter-strikes against targets in Afghanistan continue," a Pakistani government spokesperson, Mosharraf Zaidi, said in a post on X, describing the action as a response to "unprovoked Afghan attacks."

• What’s behind the Pakistan–Afghanistan clashes?

Panic in Kabul

Reuters verified video showed thick plumes of black smoke and fires in Kabul.

A local taxi driver described: “We woke up, and the plane came and dropped two bombs, then flew away again. After that, we heard explosions… Everyone, in panic, ran down from the second floor of the house. The ammunition inside the depot kept exploding on its own.”

Ambulance sirens and the sound of jets were reported across the city.

Analysts warn the strikes could trigger a prolonged conflict along the 2,600-km frontier. Pakistan, a nuclear-armed state, holds superior military capabilities, while the Taliban are experienced in guerrilla warfare.

Civilian impact and security measures

Kabul and the United Nations reported civilian casualties, including at least 13 deaths, while Islamabad denied targeting civilians. Pakistan’s Punjab province raised security alert levels and detained 90 Afghan nationals for deportation.

Mujahid underlined their preference for dialogue, saying, “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has always tried to resolve issues through dialogue and now also we want to resolve this matter through dialogue.”

Tensions have risen amid militant attacks in Pakistan, which Islamabad attributes to the Pakistani Taliban and banned Baloch separatist groups.

Kabul rejects claims that Afghan territory is used to shelter militants. Disputes over the Durand Line and Pakistan’s deportation campaign targeting undocumented Afghans have further strained relations.

Regional mediation efforts

Regional powers are attempting to mediate. Russia, China, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar have been involved, while Iran offered assistance despite ongoing nuclear talks with the U.S. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Qatar’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi.

China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said: “Beijing is deeply concerned about the escalating clashes and is willing to play a constructive role in helping to cool tensions between the two sides.”

Iran urges Afghanistan and Islamabad to talk, offering Tehran's assistance.

• Iran urges Afghanistan and Islamabad to talk, offering Tehran's assistance

Earlier in the day, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesman Tahir Andrabi confirmed that regional issues, “including possibly Afghanistan,” had been discussed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to Doha. The diplomatic exchange comes against the backdrop of renewed military tensions along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border.

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The situation remains fluid as border clashes continue alongside diplomatic efforts. Both sides maintain heavy military presence and exchanges of fire, with civilians caught in the crossfire and regional powers attempting to de-escalate the crisis.

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Afghanistan Pakistan border clashes Taliban Islamabad Kabul Security ceasefire Afghanistan-Pakistan border