Pakistan launches airstrikes on Kabul and other Afghan cities after deadly border clash
K N Mishra
27/Feb/2026
What's covered under the Article:
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Pakistan launched airstrikes in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia hours after Afghanistan claimed its forces killed 55 Pakistani soldiers and captured several border posts along the disputed Durand Line.
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Afghanistan said its cross-border offensive was retaliation for earlier Pakistani airstrikes that reportedly killed civilians near the border, increasing tensions between the two neighbouring countries.
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The renewed Pakistan Afghanistan conflict has raised fears of wider military escalation as both sides exchange accusations over attacks along the sensitive Durand Line border region.
The Pakistan Afghanistan conflict has once again intensified after Pakistan airstrikes Kabul and other Afghan cities were reported following a deadly cross-border clash along the disputed Durand Line conflict news corridor. The latest escalation has drawn global attention as the situation highlights growing Pakistan Afghanistan border tensions and raises fears of a broader regional crisis.
According to officials from Afghanistan, several explosions were heard early Friday in Kabul, creating panic among residents and triggering widespread concern about the expanding Pakistan Afghanistan war update. The blasts reportedly occurred only hours after Afghan authorities claimed that their forces had killed dozens of Pakistani soldiers during a major cross-border operation.
Escalation After Deadly Border Clash
The latest Afghanistan Pakistan border clash latest news indicates that tensions sharply escalated after Afghan forces allegedly attacked Pakistani military posts near the border. Officials from Pakistan later confirmed that their military had conducted airstrikes targeting Taliban positions in response to the attack.
The cross-border fighting reportedly began late Thursday evening when Afghan forces launched coordinated assaults on Pakistani military positions located near the controversial Durand Line. The Durand Line, stretching over 2,600 kilometres, has long been a source of tension between the two neighbouring countries.
Afghanistan has historically refused to formally recognise the border, arguing that it was drawn during colonial rule without considering ethnic and tribal divisions in the region. As a result, the Durand Line conflict news frequently features clashes, accusations of cross-border militancy, and retaliatory military operations.
Explosions Reported in Kabul
Residents in Kabul airstrike news coverage described hearing multiple explosions in the Afghan capital in the early hours of Friday morning. Witnesses also reported hearing aircraft flying over the city before the blasts were heard.
While the exact locations of the strikes in Kabul were not immediately confirmed, the reports quickly spread across international media outlets, further intensifying concern over the Pakistan Afghanistan latest news.
Afghan officials later stated that the strikes were part of a broader operation that also targeted locations in southern and southeastern Afghanistan.
Airstrikes Reported in Kandahar and Paktia
Apart from the explosions reported in Kabul, Afghan authorities confirmed that Pakistan also conducted airstrikes in Kandahar and Paktia.
These strikes, described as Kandahar Paktia airstrike update, reportedly targeted areas believed to house Taliban military facilities and command positions.
Officials stated that the strikes were aimed at Taliban defence targets, although the Taliban government denied that any casualties had been reported immediately following the attacks.
The operations have become one of the most significant developments in the Pakistan Afghanistan conflict in recent months.
Pakistani Government Response
Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed the airstrikes through a statement posted on social media.
According to the statement, the strikes targeted Taliban military infrastructure in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia. The announcement indicated that the action was part of Pakistan's response to the attack on its border forces.
The statement further emphasised that Pakistan reserves the right to defend its territorial integrity and protect its military personnel from cross-border attacks.
The confirmation of Pakistan airstrikes Kabul quickly dominated international headlines and became one of the most discussed developments in Pakistan Afghanistan latest news.
Taliban Reaction to the Strikes
The Taliban government strongly condemned the airstrikes. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid accused Pakistan of launching what he described as "cowardly air attacks" against Afghan territory.
Mujahid stated that several areas in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia had been targeted but insisted that there were no confirmed casualties at the time of the announcement.
His statement further claimed that Afghan forces remained prepared to defend the country's sovereignty and respond to any further aggression.
The Taliban's reaction further intensified Pakistan Afghanistan border tensions, with both sides accusing each other of violating international norms.
Afghan Claim of Killing 55 Pakistani Soldiers
One of the most dramatic aspects of the Pakistan Afghanistan border clash latest news is Afghanistan's claim that its forces killed 55 Pakistani soldiers during a cross-border operation.
According to the Afghan Ministry of Defence, Taliban fighters launched a coordinated offensive targeting multiple Pakistani military positions along the Durand Line.
Officials said the operation resulted in the destruction of two Pakistani garrisons and nineteen military posts, marking one of the most significant clashes between the two sides in recent years.
Afghan authorities further claimed that some Pakistani soldiers were captured while others fled the posts during the fighting.
The incident quickly became a major focus of Pakistan Afghanistan war update reports worldwide.
Afghanistan Says Operation Was Retaliatory
Afghan officials insisted that their attack on Pakistani positions was retaliation for earlier Pakistani airstrikes carried out days earlier.
According to Afghan authorities, those earlier strikes reportedly killed civilians, including women and children, in border areas near Nangarhar.
The Afghan government stated that the retaliatory operation began around 8 pm local time on February 26, coinciding with the 9th day of Ramadan.
Officials described the mission as a large-scale military response aimed at deterring further Pakistani incursions into Afghan territory.
This claim has further intensified the Pakistan Afghanistan conflict, as both countries continue to blame each other for the escalation.
Civilian Casualties and Humanitarian Concerns
In addition to military casualties, Afghan officials reported that several civilians were injured during the ongoing conflict.
According to Afghan authorities, a missile strike reportedly hit a refugee camp in Nangarhar province, injuring 13 civilians, including women and children.
These reports have raised humanitarian concerns as the Afghanistan Pakistan border clash latest news continues to unfold.
International organisations monitoring the region have warned that continued military escalation could worsen the humanitarian situation in already vulnerable border communities.
Strategic Importance of the Durand Line
The disputed Durand Line conflict news remains central to the conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The border was established in 1893 during British colonial rule and has long been contested by Afghan governments.
Pakistan considers the Durand Line its official international border, while Afghanistan has historically refused to recognise it as legitimate.
This disagreement has led to frequent Pakistan Afghanistan border tensions, including clashes, militant infiltration accusations, and military skirmishes.
The current crisis demonstrates how unresolved border disputes continue to influence modern geopolitics in the region.
Growing Concerns of Wider Conflict
Security analysts warn that the latest Pakistan Afghanistan war update could potentially spiral into a broader conflict if tensions continue to rise.
The exchange of airstrikes and cross-border military operations has increased the risk of miscalculation and further escalation.
Experts note that both countries are facing internal political and security challenges, which can sometimes amplify external tensions.
The Pakistan Afghanistan conflict has also attracted attention from neighbouring countries and international observers who fear that continued instability could affect regional security.
Impact on Regional Stability
The escalation between Pakistan and Afghanistan could have serious consequences for South Asian stability.
Both countries share a long and porous border where militant groups, refugee movements and smuggling networks already create complex security challenges.
If the current Pakistan Afghanistan latest news developments continue to escalate, analysts warn that cross-border violence could increase dramatically.
This situation could also complicate diplomatic relations between Afghanistan and other regional powers.
Calls for De-Escalation
Despite the rising tensions, several international observers have called for restraint from both sides.
Diplomatic experts have emphasised the importance of dialogue and crisis management mechanisms to prevent further escalation.
The Pakistan Afghanistan conflict has historically seen cycles of retaliation, and experts warn that continued military exchanges could push the region into prolonged instability.
Calls for negotiation and mediation have therefore intensified following the latest Kabul airstrike news.
Uncertain Future of Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations
The future of relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan now remains uncertain.
The recent Kandahar Paktia airstrike update and the reported deaths of Pakistani soldiers have deepened mistrust between the two governments.
Unless both sides engage in diplomatic dialogue and address long-standing disputes such as the Durand Line, the Pakistan Afghanistan border tensions are likely to persist.
For now, the world continues to watch closely as the Pakistan Afghanistan war update unfolds, with hopes that the crisis does not escalate into a larger regional conflict.
The ongoing Pakistan Afghanistan conflict, the latest Pakistan airstrikes Kabul, and the growing Afghanistan Pakistan border clash latest news together highlight the fragile security situation in the region and the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to restore stability.
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