Afghanistan launches strikes on Pakistan in response to air attacks
Illustrative photo: Kabul prepares military operation (Getty Images)
Afghan forces announced the start of retaliatory strikes on Pakistani territory following Islamabad’s airstrikes on border regions, triggering a new escalation between the two countries, according to The Washington Post.
Read also: Airstrikes hit Afghan capital of Kabul, hours after Afghanistan attacks Pakistan
According to Afghan military officials, "heavy clashes" began on the evening of February 26 along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, particularly in eastern provinces, which Kabul described as a response to Pakistani airstrikes on Nangarhar and Paktia last week.
Videos released by Afghan security forces showed Humvee armored vehicles moving through mountainous terrain at night, illuminated by flashes of gunfire, with sustained automatic fire audible in the background.
Separate footage published by Pakistani security sources appeared to show tracer rounds crossing a similar barren mountain landscape, with prolonged bursts of automatic fire echoing through the valleys.
The escalation followed Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan territory on February 21–22, which Kabul said killed dozens of civilians, including women and children. Pakistan described the raids as a response to militant activity along the border.
Local media and reports from the region indicate fighting is ongoing across several border provinces, with both sides providing conflicting accounts on territorial gains and casualties.
According to the report, the flare-up marks one of the most serious spikes in tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan in recent months and could have broader implications for security across South Asia.
Afghanistan-Pakistan tensions
Border disputes between Afghanistan and Pakistan have been recurring for decades, frequently escalating into armed clashes. Afghanistan does not officially recognize the frontier drawn by the British Empire in 1893.
Pakistan accuses Afghan authorities of harboring groups responsible for attacks on its security forces, while Kabul counters with claims of sovereignty violations by Islamabad.
Pakistan has repeatedly carried out airstrikes in Afghan border provinces, saying it is targeting militants. Afghan officials describe the strikes as aggression and have responded with shelling of border positions.
Tensions have intensified since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Pakistan had expected greater security cooperation, but mutual accusations have instead increased.
Both sides periodically attempt ceasefires and hold talks, though no lasting outcome has been achieved.
