Pakistan launched airstrikes against the Afghan capital, Kabul, and other cities early Friday, February 27, 2026, declaring an “open war” with its neighbor amid escalating tensions. The strikes represent the most significant escalation in hostilities between the two countries since the Taliban regained power.
Pakistani officials reported that the retaliatory strikes targeted “military objectives” in Kabul, Paktia, and Kandahar provinces. Mosharraf Zaidi, a spokesperson for Pakistan’s Prime Minister for foreign media, provided this information.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the main spokesperson for the Taliban, confirmed the attacks on the capital, stating that there were no casualties. “The cowardly Pakistani army has carried out bombings in some areas of Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia,” he wrote on X.
“Following the aerial attacks against Kabul, Kandahar and other provinces, large-scale retaliatory operations have been carried out against positions of Pakistani soldiers,” Mujahid added.
At Least Three Explosions in Kabul
At least three explosions were heard in Kabul, though immediate reports of casualties were unavailable. The development underscores growing regional instability and the potential for wider conflict.
Two senior Pakistani security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity since they were not authorized to speak to the media officially, confirmed to The Associated Press that the Pakistani military conducted airstrikes against what they described as Afghan military installations in the provinces of Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia. They claimed two brigade bases were destroyed, but did not report any casualties.
Pakistan: “From Now On, We Are in an Open War”
Intense overnight clashes between Taliban government forces and Pakistan have been ongoing since Thursday along various points of the border, following a coordinated operation launched by Kabul along the Durand Line. This escalation follows a series of Pakistani airstrikes earlier in the week.
According to Zaidi, the Pakistani attacks have resulted in the deaths of 133 Taliban fighters and injured more than 200.
Pakistan’s Defense Minister, Khawaja Asif, as well took to X, stating, “Our patience has run out. From now on, we are in an open war between you and us,” addressing Afghanistan directly.
“Pakistan has made great efforts to maintain normalcy directly and through friendly countries. It has been involved in full-fledged diplomacy. But the Taliban have develop into a representative of India,” Asif justified.
jc (efe, afp, ap)
