On 21 February 2026, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) conducted airstrikes over the provinces of Nangarhar, Paktika and Khost in Afghanistan with the stated aim of targeting seven alleged militant camps belonging to the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) and the Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISIS–K) across the three provinces in retaliation for recent terrorist attacks in Islamabad, Bajaur, and Bannu, which Pakistan blamed on the Taliban of Afghanistan. Taliban officials in Afghanistan said the airstrikes targeted civilian targets and religious centers, and resulted in 18 civilian fatalities in Nangarhar province. Pakistani officials denied targeting civilians in Afghanistan, while The Express Tribune, citing military sources, reported 80 militant fatalities. UNAMA would confirm civilian casualties, with Afghanistan condemning the airstrikes and vowing calculated response to the aggression. On 26 February 2026, Afghanistan launched a retaliatory operation against Pakistan. In response, Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab Lil Haq against the Taliban. This operation was initiated following an escalation in border skirmishes and cross-border firing incidents along the Durand Line, involving the Afghan Taliban and Pakistani security forces. The following day, Pakistan announced a state of "open war" with Afghanistan. == Background == The conflict occurred against the backdrop of long-running tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban government of Afghanistan, centred on Pakistan's accusations that Afghan soil is used as a safe haven by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militants to launch attacks inside Pakistan. A fragile ceasefire, mediated by Qatar, was agreed in October 2025 after the deadliest cross-border clashes in years, but subsequent talks failed to produce a lasting agreement and low-level incidents continued. The operation took place days after the Saudi Arabian mediated release of three Pakistani soldiers captured during the October 2025 clashes. On 11 February 2026, Pakistani defence minister Khawaja Asif warned that Pakistan may take action against militants in Afghanistan before the start of Ramadan if the Taliban did not curb militant activity from its territory. February saw multiple terror attacks in Pakistan, notably a suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque in the capital of Islamabad which killed 36 people and an attack on a checkpoint in Bajaur which killed 11 soldiers and a child. In response to the latter, the Pakistani government issued a démarche to the Afghan ambassador on 19 February. A warning followed that Pakistan "would not hesitate" to launch air operations inside Afghanistan if the Taliban government did not take action against militant groups using its territory. == Airstrikes and hostilities == === Airstrikes === During the late hours of 21 February, local sources in Afghanistan reported airstrikes in parts of Nangarhar, Paktika, and Khost provinces. In Nangarhar, the strikes were reported in Bihsud and Khogyani districts, while in Paktika they were reported in Barmal and Urgun districts. Local sources also reported strikes in parts of Khost province, though no further details were provided. Local sources report that the airstrikes in Bihsud district of Nangarhar province struck a civilian home, trapping 23 people beneath the rubble. In a late-night press release, Pakistani officials confirmed that the Pakistan Air Force had carried out airstrikes in Afghanistan. Officials said the strikes were selective and intelligence-based, and targeted seven militant camps and hideouts linked to the Pakistani Taliban and Islamic State Khorasan Province near the Pakistan–Afghanistan border. Pakistan's officials also added that the strikes were in retaliation to the recent terror attacks in Islamabad, Bajaur, and Bannu. A Pakistani newspaper, citing military sources, reported that the seven TTP hideouts in Nangarhar, Paktika, and Khost provinces were destroyed and that more than 80 militants were killed; however, Taliban officials in Afghanistan stated that airstrikes took place in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces. They said an airstrike in Bihsud District of Nangarhar province resulted in the deaths of 18 civilians, including 11 children. Afghan Taliban officials also condemned the airstrikes and warned of calculated response at an appropriate time. Shayesteh Jan Ahadi, former head of the Paktia Provincial Council, state that Pakistani airstrikes in several districts were very widespread and powerful. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported that Pakistan carried out airstrikes between 11:45 p.m. on 21 February and 12:15 a.m. on 22 February. UNAMA also reported that airstrikes in Paktika province damaged or destroyed infrastructure. On 23 February, UNAMA confirmed that over thirteen civilians had been killed by the Pakistani airstrikes, with an additional seven injured. === Continued hostilities === On 24 February, the hostilities resumed as both countries exchanged fire along their borders while both sides blamed each other for provocations. Zabihullah Noorani, head of the Afghan information department in eastern Nangarhar, stated that Pakistani troops carried out the first shots in the Shahkot area near the border. On 26 February, the Taliban military spokesman Mawlawi Wahidullah Mohammadi said the "retaliatory operation" had been launched at around 20:00 local time (15:30 GMT) on Thursday. The group's chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the offensive had killed "numerous" Pakistani soldiers and captured others. This was denied by a spokesman for Pakistan's prime minister, who also contested Mujahid's claim that 15 military posts had been captured. Pakistan claimed to have destroyed 27 Taliban border posts and to have captured nine as well as to have destroyed more than 80 pieces of equipment including tanks, artillery and APCs. By the end of 27 February, the Taliban reported that they had killed 55 Pakistani militants, while 19 civilians were killed and 26 others were injured by Pakistani forces in Khost and Paktika provinces. The Taliban also claimed that drone units of the Afghan Air Force have attacked military targets in Pakistan. On the same day, leaders from the Taliban were willing to negotiate talks after Pakistani forces bombed Kabul and Kandahar. == Reactions == === Domestic === Afghanistan: Afghanistan's Ministry of Defence condemned the airstrikes, claiming that Pakistan had "hit a religious school and residential homes". Pakistan: Pakistan's Minister of Defence Khawaja Asif declared an "open war" between the two countries. === International === ==== State actors ==== Bangladesh: Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman said the conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan would not serve anyone's interest. China: China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: "Beijing is deeply concerned over the escalation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border." India: Randhir Jaiswal, the Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, expressed strong condemnation of the strikes and expressed support for Afghanistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Iran: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who has been involved in intensive talks with the United States to avert conflict engulfing his own nation, urged the two countries to resolve their differences through dialogue and good neighbourly principles, as he highlighted the significance of the holy month of Ramadan as a time for self-restraint and Islamic solidarity. Qatar: Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi discussed with Pakistani Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar on ways to reduce tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan, thereby strengthening security and stability in the region. Russia: The Russian government offered to mediate the situation and urged the both nations to halt cross-border attacks. Turkey: Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held calls with the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. United Kingdom: British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper posted on X: "The UK is deeply concerned by the significant escalation in tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. We urge both sides to take immediate steps toward de‑escalation, avoid further harm to civilians, and re‑engage in mediated dialogue." United States: The United States stated that they will continue to monitor the situation closely and expressed support for Pakistan against the Taliban attacks. ==== Supranational ==== United Nations: UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) urged both nations to cease hostilities and to take steps to prevent harm to civilians. Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, expressed concern over airstrikes in Nangarhar and Paktika, calling on the belligerent parties to exercise "maximum restraint". He stated deep concern for "a significant number of children and civilians" that were killed following the hostilities. == See also == 2023 Afghanistan–Iran clash 2024 Iran–Pakistan conflict 2025 India–Pakistan conflict Afghanistan–Tajikistan border skirmishes == Notes == == References ==