FEBRUARY 27, 2026
This latest escalation comes days after Pakistan carried out air strikes inside Afghanistan following suicide blasts on its soil. – (file photo) AFP via Getty Images
Afghanistan has launched a “large-scale” military operation on Pakistani army positions in response to recent strikes carried out by Islamabad, Taliban officials have said.
“Numerous” Pakstani soldiers have been killed and some captured in the offensive launched late on Thursday along their shared border, the group’s chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said.
Pakistan’s information ministry said the “unprovoked fire” was being met with “immediate and effective response by Pakistan’s security forces” and also claimed heavy casualties on the Afghan side.
It comes after Islamabad carried out overnight air strikes on Afghanistan earlier this week, which the Taliban said had killed at least 18 people.
Taliban military spokesman Mawlawi Wahidullah Mohammadi said the “retaliatory operation” had been launched at around 20:00 local time (15:30 GMT) on Thursday.
Mujahid also wrote on X that “in response to repeated border violations and insurgency by Pakistani military circles, large-scale preemptive operations were launched against Pakistani army centres and military installations” along the border.
Pakistan’s information ministry said the Taliban had “miscalculated and opened unprovoked fire on multiple locations”.
“Early reports confirm heavy casualties on Afghan side with multiple posts and equipment destroyed,” said a statement shared on X.
“Pakistan will take all necessary measures to ensure its territorial integrity and the safety and security of its citizens.”
Kabul had warned of retaliatory action “at the appropriate time” following the strikes overnight into Sunday.
Islamabad had said it targeted seven alleged militant camps and hideouts near the border and that they had been launched after recent suicide bombings in Pakistan.
Kabul meanwhile said civilian homes and a religious school had been targeted, with women and children among the dead.
The exchange of fire comes after the two countries agreed a fragile ceasefire in October following deadly cross-border clashes, though subsequent fighting has taken place.
Pakistan was a major backer of the Taliban after its ouster in 2001 following a US-led invasion.
But relations deteriorated after Islamabad accused the group of providing a safe haven to the Pakistan Taliban, which has launched an armed insurgence against government forces.
The group has carried out at least 600 attacks on Pakistani forces over the past year, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project.
Pakistan and Afghanistan share a 1,600-mile (2,574 km) mountainous border.
Courtesy/Source: BBC News
