Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have taken a serious turn, with both countries now openly exchanging military fire and accusations. What began as border clashes has quickly escalated into a wider confrontation involving air strikes, claims of heavy casualties, and political statements that have raised the temperature even further.

On Friday, 27th February, Pakistan reportedly carried out air strikes in several parts of Afghanistan. According to multiple reports, explosions were heard in Kabul, the Afghan capital, as well as in Kandahar and Paktia provinces. These strikes followed an earlier attack by Afghanistan on Pakistani border troops on Thursday, 26th February. The situation, already fragile, moved into a more dangerous phase as both sides claimed to be responding to aggression from the other.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, described the situation as an “open war” with Afghanistan. He also accused the Taliban-led government of acting as “India’s proxy,” further widening the political dimension of the crisis.

Attacks on Pakistani Forces Were Retaliatory, Says Taliban

According to reports from Kabul, Afghanistan’s Islamic Emirates Forces launched an attack on Pakistani forces in border areas on Thursday. The Taliban government described this action as a retaliation for Pakistan’s earlier air strikes. During the assault, the Taliban claimed that 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed and that several others were captured alive.

Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid explained the operation in strong terms. He stated, “In response to repeated violations by the Pakistani military, large-scale offensive operations were launched against Pakistani military bases and military installations.”

Afghanistan further claimed that it had captured Pakistani military bases and posts along the Durand Line, the long-disputed border between the two countries. However, Pakistan rejected these claims and denied losing control of any military positions.

Some local media outlets also reported that Afghanistan shot down a Pakistani aircraft that had entered its airspace. While these reports spread quickly, official confirmation from Pakistan has not supported this claim. Hours after Afghanistan’s attack on Pakistani forces, residents in Kabul reported hearing explosions and aircraft flying overhead in the early hours of Friday, adding to the sense of fear and uncertainty among civilians.

In a post on X, Zabihullah Mujahid accused Pakistan of bombing Afghan cities. He wrote, “The cowardly Pakistani military has carried out airstrikes in certain areas of Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia; fortunately, there have been no reported casualties.”

The Afghan Ministry of National Defence later issued a detailed press release giving its account of the events. It said the operation against Pakistani forces began at 8:00 pm on Thursday, following what it described as a violation of Afghan territory by Pakistan that led to civilian deaths. The statement declared, “A few days ago, the Pakistani military circles, with great audacity, violated Afghan territory, breached our borders, and martyred women and children here.”

The Ministry stated that Afghan forces carried out coordinated counterattacks across eastern and southeastern sectors along the Durand Line. These operations were conducted near Paktika, Paktia, Khost, Nangarhar, Kunar, and Nuristan provinces. According to the statement, the fighting lasted for four hours. During this time, Afghan forces claimed to have captured two Pakistani military bases and 19 posts, while soldiers from four additional posts reportedly fled.

The Afghan side also claimed that dozens of light and heavy weapons, ammunition, military supplies, and a large military transport vehicle were seized. In addition, a Pakistani tank was reportedly destroyed during the clashes.

The statement emphasized the scale of the confrontation, saying, “In these retaliatory operations along the Durand Line, a total of 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed.” It added that some bodies of Pakistani soldiers were taken into Afghanistan.

At the same time, Afghan authorities acknowledged their own losses. Eight Afghan personnel were reported killed and 11 injured during the fighting. The Ministry stated that the attack was stopped at midnight on the orders of the Chief of General Staff after “assigned objectives were achieved.”

The violence also affected civilians. Afghan authorities evacuated a refugee camp near the Torkham border crossing after several refugees were wounded. Thirteen civilians, including women and children, were reported killed in the escalation.

Pakistan, however, rejected the figures released by the Taliban. Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar presented a very different version of events, saying that only two Pakistani soldiers had been killed and three wounded. He also claimed that 36 Afghan fighters were killed in the exchanges.

Pakistan Points Finger at India Amid Growing Crisis

As the military situation worsened, political rhetoric grew sharper. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif accused the Taliban government of turning Afghanistan into what he called a “colony of India.” He claimed that under Taliban rule, Afghanistan had become an exporter of terrorism and that the Taliban was acting as a proxy for India.

In a post on X, Asif wrote, “After the withdrawal of NATO forces, it was expected that there would be peace in Afghanistan and that the Taliban would focus on the interests of the Afghan people and peace in the region. However, the Taliban turned Afghanistan into a colony of India. They gathered all the terrorists of the world in Afghanistan and began exporting terrorism.”

He further stated, “Pakistan made every effort to keep the situation normal through direct means and through friendly countries. It engaged in full-fledged diplomacy. But the Taliban became a proxy for India. Today, when attempts are being made to target Pakistan with aggression, Alhamdulillah, our forces are giving a decisive response at this time.”

In a statement that underlined the seriousness of the moment, Asif declared, “Our cup of patience has overflowed. Now it is an open war between us and you. Now it will be “Dama Dam Mast Qalandar.” Pakistan’s army did not come from across the seas. We are your neighbours; we know your ins and outs. Allahu Akbar.”

On the other side, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari also issued a warning to Afghanistan. In a message posted on X, he said, “Pakistan will not compromise on peace & territorial integrity. Our armed forces’ response is comprehensive & decisive. Those who mistake our peace for weakness will face a strong response — and no one will be beyond reach.”

These developments come despite a ceasefire agreement signed in October 2025 in Doha. The agreement, brokered by Qatar and Turkiye, was meant to ease tensions between the two countries. However, even after the ceasefire, both sides have continued to engage in border skirmishes. The recent escalation suggests that the fragile understanding reached in Doha has failed to prevent further conflict.

As both nations exchange claims and counterclaims, the region now watches closely. The situation remains tense, with civilians on both sides bearing the fear of what may come next.