Pakistan launched airstrikes on military targets in the Afghan capital Kabul, as well as in Kandahar and Paktia provinces, in response to attacks by Afghan forces on Pakistani military positions in six border provinces late on Thursday, Al Jazeera and Reuters reported on February 27.
The Pakistani attacks targeted Taliban military targets, marking the most serious military clash between the two neighbors in years. The airstrikes came hours after Afghan forces attacked Pakistani military positions in six border provinces. Kabul said 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 19 outposts were captured.
Pakistan’s Air Force conducted strikes on Taliban targets in Kabul. pic.twitter.com/q3MGH1aZS8
— Clash Report (@clashreport) February 26, 2026
Pakistan acknowledged the deaths of two of its soldiers but dismissed other claims as propaganda, claiming at least 133 Afghan fighters in retaliation and the destruction of at least 27 Afghan outposts. Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said his country's patience was running out.
"Our patience has run out. Now it is open war between us and you," Asif said.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the strikes on Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia, but said there were no casualties. He announced that retaliatory operations had begun from Kandahar and Helmand. According to media reports, Pakistan's strikes included air-to-surface missile attacks on Taliban military offices and posts in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia province. The Taliban said they launched attacks on Pakistani military targets on Thursday but are ready for talks.
Afghanistan's Taliban authorities say they have launched attacks on Pakistani military positions along the Durand Line border in response to Pakistani air strikes last week in Nangarhar and Paktia.
Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities say they have launched attacks on Pakistani military positions along the Durand Line border in response to Pakistani air strikes last week in Nangarhar and Paktia.
— Clash Report (@clashreport) February 26, 2026
Kabul described the fighting as “heavy clashes” and accused Pakistan of repeated… pic.twitter.com/XfEiuMU584
Pakistan has nuclear weapons and its military capabilities significantly outweigh Afghanistan's, but the Taliban is well versed in guerrilla warfare.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, on October 15, 2025, Pakistan launched strikes on Kabul and announced the elimination of about twenty Taliban.
On October 15, 2025, Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban administration agreed on a temporary ceasefire for 48 hours.
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