Pakistani military jets carried out strikes on Kabul and the Afghan provinces of Kandahar and Paktia on the night of February 27, 2026. The attacks came in response to a prior assault by Afghan forces on Pakistani border positions, in an escalation that has alarmed wide international circles.

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif stated: "Our patience has run out. This is now open warfare between us." Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that Pakistani armed forces repelled the aggressors, adding that the nation stands united behind the army.

The two sides have given conflicting casualty figures. The Afghan defense minister claims 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed, with 8 Afghan fighters dead. Pakistan reported only 2 of its own soldiers killed, claiming 36 Afghan fighters were neutralized. Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the attacks, while Pakistan's information minister characterized them as a "proportionate response" to the Taliban's "open aggression."

Tensions between the two countries have escalated significantly in recent months. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring armed formations that carry out cross-border attacks, while the Taliban side rejects those claims. The UN Secretary-General called on both sides to protect civilians in accordance with international law and to seek diplomatic solutions. International mediators from Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Russia have expressed readiness to help negotiate a ceasefire.