Rising to a Breaking Point: What Happened
In the early hours of 27 February 2026, Pakistan’s military launched airstrikes on several locations in Afghanistan, including the capital Kabul and provinces such as Kandahar and Paktia. Islamabad labelled the operation Operation Ghazab lil Haq — translated as “righteous fury” — asserting it struck “Taliban defence targets” as retaliation for recent cross-border attacks. Afghanistan’s Taliban government acknowledged explosions and defended its territory, marking a stark escalation in tensions.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif declared that Islamabad’s “patience has now run out” and stated Pakistan now considers itself in an “open war” with Afghanistan — a phrase underscoring how far relations have deteriorated.
The official Pakistani stance frames these strikes as necessary to counter militant threats emanating from Afghan territory. Kabul, however, condemns the strikes as violations of sovereign territory and promises to defend its borders.
A History of Cross-Border Tensions
The Durand Line and Border Sovereignty
At the heart of Pakistan-Afghanistan friction lies the issue of the Durand Line — the 2,600-kilometer border demarcated in 1893 during British colonial rule. Afghanistan has historically refused to formally recognise this border, creating a persistent and symbolic source of dispute.
Border skirmishes, militant crossings, and mutual accusations of interference have long punctuated relations. The porous nature of this frontier makes it difficult for either side to control militant movements, and attacks on security posts on both sides have occasionally triggered broader confrontations.
Why Pakistan Bombs Kabul: Official Justifications
Counter-terrorism and Security Claims
Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities of providing safe havens to militant groups that target Pakistani security forces and civilians. Islamabad’s official narrative is that militants use Afghan territory to launch attacks and then retreat across the border, exploiting governance gaps and lack of cooperation.
In Pakistan’s framing, the strikes on Kabul and other areas were a direct response to what Islamabad describes as “unprovoked aggression” from Afghan forces and a failure by Kabul to rein in groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Political Rhetoric from Islamabad
Senior Pakistani officials have escalated their rhetoric alongside military action. Beyond the military language, Defence Minister Asif accused the Afghan authorities of turning their country into a base for hostile activities and even alleged that Kabul had been influenced by India — a sensitive diplomatic claim with broader regional implications.
Kabul’s Response and Contradictions
Afghan officials have condemned the airstrikes, calling them violations of Afghan sovereignty and promising to defend their territory. While Pakistan claims to have hit “defence targets”, Afghan statements highlight civilian harm and rejected Islamabad’s accusations about harbouring terrorist groups.
These conflicting accounts make independent verification difficult. Each side offers different figures on casualties and damage, contributing to uncertainty around the true human cost and scale of operations.
Diplomatic Fallout and Regional Implications
Fragile Ceasefires and Failed Talk Tracks
Recent efforts to reduce tensions — including ceasefires and mediated discussions — appear to have collapsed. A Qatar-mediated ceasefire and peace negotiations in previous months failed to produce lasting results, highlighting deep mistrust and unresolved issues.
International Reactions
Global actors including the United Nations, neighbouring states such as Iran and China, and Western capitals have urged restraint and dialogue. However, the rhetoric from both Islamabad and Kabul suggests that diplomatic channels are under strain and unlikely to halt immediate hostilities.
What Comes Next?
With Pakistan now openly describing the situation as an “open war” and having conducted air strikes including in Kabul, the conflict carries the risk of prolonged instability along the Afghanistan-Pakistan frontier. The durability of ceasefires, effectiveness of mediation efforts, and the response of regional powers will all shape whether this escalation remains confined to military exchanges or expands into a broader crisis.
For now, Pakistan bombs Kabul remains a watershed moment in South Asian geopolitics — one that underscores the fragility of peace, the complexity of cross-border militancy, and the deep historical roots of discord between these two neighbouring states.
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