Pakistan in 'open war' with Afghanistan, Minister declares as conflict escalates

By Admin

27 Feb, 2026

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have sharply escalated after cross-border airstrikes and heavy fighting along the disputed Durand Line. What began as claims of border violations has now turned into what Pakistan’s defence leadership has described as an “open war” situation.

The dramatic developments mark one of the most serious flare-ups between the two neighbouring countries in recent years.

Defence Minister Declares ‘Open War’

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif publicly declared that Pakistan was now in an “open war” with Afghanistan following overnight strikes and escalating battlefield claims.

“Our patience has run out. It is now open war between us and you,” Asif stated in unusually direct remarks aimed at Kabul, signalling a significant hardening of Pakistan’s stance.

The declaration came hours after Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities accused Pakistan of launching airstrikes in Kabul and other cities, while Pakistan claimed it was responding to aggression initiated from across the border.

Conflicting Casualty Claims

Afghanistan’s Taliban administration claimed that at least 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed during retaliatory operations after Pakistani airstrikes targeted areas in Kabul and other provinces.

In contrast, a Pakistani government spokesperson stated that 133 Taliban fighters were killed, over 200 wounded, and dozens of posts destroyed or captured. Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar reported that two Pakistani soldiers were killed and three injured, while 36 Afghan fighters were killed.

Both sides have strongly disputed each other’s figures. None of the casualty claims have been independently verified.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid accused Pakistan of targeting areas in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia, describing the strikes as “cowardly” but claimed no reported casualties in those urban locations.

Afghan Ministry Details Retaliatory Operation

Afghanistan’s Ministry of National Defense released a detailed statement outlining what it described as a coordinated counteroffensive. According to the ministry, the operation began at 8 pm on Thursday following what it called a Pakistani violation of Afghan territory that allegedly killed women and children.

The Afghan military claimed operations were conducted across eastern and southeastern sectors along the Durand Line near Paktika, Paktia, Khost, Nangarhar, Kunar and Nuristan provinces.

During a four-hour battle, Afghan authorities claimed:

• Two Pakistani military bases and 19 posts were captured
  
  

• 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed
  
  

• Several soldiers were captured alive
  
  

• One Pakistani tank was destroyed
  
  

• A large military transport vehicle was seized
  
  

Afghan officials also acknowledged their own losses, reporting eight Taliban fighters killed and 11 injured. Additionally, 13 Afghan civilians, including women and children, were reportedly injured in a missile strike on a refugee camp in Nangarhar.

Pakistan has firmly rejected these claims, denying that any soldiers were captured.

Pakistan Says Taliban Opened ‘Unprovoked Fire’

Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting stated that Afghan Taliban forces initiated “unprovoked firing” across multiple points along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

According to the ministry, Pakistani forces responded immediately in the Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram and Bajaur sectors. Officials claimed heavy casualties on the Afghan side and destruction of multiple posts and equipment.

President Asif Ali Zardari also issued a strong statement, asserting that Pakistan would not compromise on its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Those who mistake our peace for weakness will face a strong response  and no one will be beyond reach,” he said.

Fighting Spreads to Torkham Border

Clashes also erupted in the strategically important Torkham crossing, a key transit point between the two nations.

Afghan authorities began evacuating a refugee camp near the crossing after several refugees were reportedly wounded. On the Pakistani side, residents relocated to safer areas as mortar shells allegedly landed in nearby villages.

The border tensions come amid Pakistan’s ongoing migrant crackdown, under which hundreds of thousands of Afghan migrants have been expelled since October 2023.

The Durand Line: A Long-Running Flashpoint

At the heart of the conflict lies the 2,611-kilometre Durand Line  a border that Afghanistan has historically refused to formally recognise. The disputed boundary has long been a source of friction, with periodic deadly clashes involving soldiers, civilians, and suspected militants.

In October, deadly confrontations raised tensions significantly before a Qatari-mediated ceasefire brought temporary calm. However, sporadic exchanges of fire have continued, culminating in the latest escalation.

Regional and Diplomatic Implications

The declaration of “open war” dramatically raises the stakes in an already fragile region. The conflicting narratives, unverified casualty claims, and military escalation risk further destabilising cross-border security and humanitarian conditions.

With both governments firmly defending their sovereignty and disputing each other’s claims, the situation remains volatile. The coming days will be critical in determining whether diplomatic channels can prevent a broader and more sustained conflict between the two neighbours.