Pakistan launched airstrikes on major Afghan cities, including Kabul, on Friday, February 27, 2026, declaring “open war” with the Taliban government in response to cross-border attacks, according to Pakistan’s defense minister. The escalation follows claims by Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers of conducting aerial attacks on Pakistani territory, including Islamabad, marking a significant deterioration in relations between the two nations.
The Taliban-run Afghan Ministry of Defense stated that Friday’s strikes targeted key Pakistani military bases, command centers, and strategic facilities in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia, representing a response to Pakistani airstrikes conducted earlier this week. “Strikes were carried out in response to the aerial incursions conducted by last night by Pakistani forces in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia,” the ministry said in a statement. The Taliban did not specify the weaponry used in their alleged attacks on Pakistan.
Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring militants from the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a group responsible for attacks within Pakistan. Islamabad asserts that these militants operate from Afghan soil, launching attacks across the border. The Guardian reported that this latest violence represents the first instance of Pakistan directly targeting sites associated with the Taliban government, rather than solely focusing on alleged TTP positions.
Fighting between the two countries began on Thursday, with the Taliban claiming to have captured several Pakistani checkpoints and soldiers in border areas. Pakistan responded with what it described as a “strong and effective response,” initiating the cycle of retaliatory strikes. Both sides claim to have inflicted heavy casualties on each other, though independent verification of these claims remains unavailable.
The current escalation builds on a history of strained relations since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in 2021. Previous attempts at negotiation, brokered by Qatar and Turkey, have failed to yield a lasting ceasefire, with the last such effort collapsing in October 2025.
Analysts suggest that Pakistan is likely to intensify its military campaign, although Afghanistan could respond with raids on border posts and increased cross-border guerrilla attacks targeting Pakistani security forces. However, a significant imbalance exists in military capabilities. Pakistan maintains approximately 600,000 active military personnel, over 6,000 armored fighting vehicles, and more than 400 combat aircraft, according to 2025 data from the International Institute for Strategic Studies. It is also a nuclear-armed state.
In contrast, the Taliban forces are estimated to number around 172,000 personnel. While possessing at least six aircraft and 23 helicopters, the condition of this equipment is unknown, and they lack fighter jets or a fully functional air force.
Dr. Saikal, an analyst, indicated that mediation efforts by Türkiye and Qatar may be attempted, but doubted their success “until such time that the Afghan Taliban give up their support for the Pakistani Taliban.” He added that the Taliban’s reluctance to sever ties with the TTP stems from fears that those militants might align with the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISK), a rival group operating in Afghanistan.
Adding another layer of complexity, Dr. Saikal highlighted the growing relationship between the Afghan Taliban and India. He stated that New Delhi has been supporting the Taliban, partly to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a haven for militancy that threatens India’s security. “New Delhi has been supporting the Afghan Taliban, and that is a major threat as far as Pakistan is concerned,” he said, citing the historical conflict between Pakistan and India. Pakistan, appears determined to bring the Taliban under its influence.
The U.S. Diplomatic mission to Afghanistan, represented by Chargé d’Affaires Don Brown, stated it is “aware of the recent escalation in tensions and outbreak of fighting” and continues to “monitor the situation closely.”