LIVE
Pakistan-Afghanistan Conflict LIVE: Pakistan Strikes Kabul, Kandahar

27 Feb 2026 6:37 AM IST

At least three explosions were heard in Kabul, but there was no immediate information on the exact location of the strikes in the Afghan capital, or of any potential casualties

Pakistan-Afghanistan Conflict LIVE: Pakistan Strikes Kabul, Kandahar

Afghan children walk past a damaged car after an overnight Pakistani airstrike at the Balish village in Urgun district, Paktika Province, on February 22, 2026. (Photo by AFP)

Kabul: Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Kabul and two other Afghan provinces early Friday, Afghanistan's government spokesperson said, hours after Afghanistan launched a cross-border attack on Pakistan in the latest escalation of violence between the neighboring countries that made a Qatar-mediated ceasefire appear increasingly shaky.

At least three explosions were heard in Kabul, but there was no immediate information on the exact location of the strikes in the Afghan capital, or of any potential casualties. Government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistan also carried out airstrikes in Kandahar to the south and in the southeastern province of Paktia.

Two senior Pakistani security officials told The Associated Press that Pakistan’s military carried out airstrikes targeting what they described as Afghan military facilities in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia provinces, allegedly destroying two brigade bases, but they didn’t mention any potential casualties. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to media on the record.

Afghanistan said its military launched its attack across the border into Pakistan late Thursday in retaliation for deadly Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan border areas Sunday, and claimed to have captured more than a dozen Pakistani army posts.

Pakistan’s government, which had described last Sunday’s airstrikes as an attack on militants harbored in the area, described Thursday’s Afghan attack as unprovoked, and dismissed claims that army posts had been captured. - Associated Press

Live Updates

27 Feb 2026 8:32 AM IST
Pakistan says its 'armed forces have given a befitting response' to Afghan Taliban
Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said Friday that the strikes on Afghanistan were a "befitting response", as blasts and gunfire rang out in the cities of Kabul and Kandahar.
"Pakistan's armed forces have given a befitting response to the Afghan Taliban's open aggression," said Naqvi, hours after Afghan forces attacked Pakistani border troops in what the Taliban government said was retaliation for earlier deadly air strikes. - AFP
27 Feb 2026 8:21 AM IST
Afghanistan govt says troops renew border attacks on Pakistan
Afghanistan renewed attacks against Pakistani troops along their shared border on Friday, after Islamabad launched air strikes on key cities Kabul and Kandahar.
"After airstrikes in Kabul, Kandahar and other provinces, once again wide-ranging retaliatory operations were launched against the positions of Pakistani soldiers, in the directions of Kandahar and Helmand as well," Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on X. - AFP
27 Feb 2026 8:18 AM IST
Pakistan PM says can 'crush' aggressors after Afghan strikes
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday his country's armed forces can "crush" aggressors, following air strikes on neighbouring Afghanistan.
"Our forces have the full capability to crush any aggressive ambitions," Sharif said, according to the Pakistani government's X page.
"The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan armed forces," he said. - AFP
27 Feb 2026 8:16 AM IST
Pakistan defence minister declares 'open war' with Afghan Taliban
Pakistan's defence minister declared "open war" on the Taliban government on Friday, after both sides clashed.
"Our patience has reached its limit. Now it is open war between us and you," Khawaja Asif posted on X. - AFP
27 Feb 2026 8:15 AM IST
Pakistan says over 130 Afghan Taliban fighters killed in response to border attacks
Pakistan launched a retaliatory operation in response to the alleged border attacks by the Afghan Taliban, saying it has killed over 130 Taliban fighters.Operation Ghazab lil Haq commenced late Thursday night after the Afghan Taliban allegedly launched attacks on several border posts.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed that the operation was underway, saying that the armed forces are currently delivering a strong response to aggression from the Afghan Taliban.
Providing an update on the operation, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that at least 133 Afghan Taliban operatives were killed and more than 200 were injured. - PTI