Taliban, Pakistan Trade Strikes For Fifth Straight Day
The latest wave of clashes between the Taliban and Pakistan has entered a fifth day, with fighting continuing along the Durand Line.
The latest wave of clashes between the Taliban and Pakistan has entered a fifth day, with fighting continuing along the Durand Line.
Evening of 24 February
Taliban forces launched what they described as large-scale retaliatory attacks on Pakistani border posts and positions along the frontier, mainly in eastern and south-eastern Afghanistan.
The Taliban said the operation was in response to earlier Pakistani airstrikes, particularly those carried out on 21 February, which Islamabad said targeted sanctuaries of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan inside Afghanistan. The United Nations confirmed that civilians were among the casualties.
Pakistan described the Taliban’s attacks as unjustified and a miscalculation and responded with what it called an immediate and forceful reply.
Early Morning of 25 February
Pakistan’s armed forces launched extensive air operations against Taliban positions inside Afghanistan.
The strikes, carried out mainly by fighter jets and drones, targeted what Pakistan described as Taliban military sites from Kabul to Kandahar, the group’s traditional stronghold.
In Kabul, areas in the west and around the city, including ammunition depots and Taliban facilities in Darulaman and Pul-e-Charkhi, were reportedly struck.
Kandahar, home to Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, was also hit, along with other border provinces.
Pakistan named the operation “Ghazb lil Haq” and described it as a direct response to Taliban attacks. Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Pakistan's defense minister, declared what he called an open war against the Taliban, saying Pakistan’s patience had run out and accusing the group of acting as a proxy for India.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed that Pakistan had bombed sites in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia Province. The Taliban said they had launched retaliatory operations along the Kandahar and Helmand Province axes and in eastern border areas, claiming to have seized or destroyed several Pakistani posts and inflicted heavy losses.
The Taliban later said they were ready for negotiations while continuing to resist.
26 February
Taliban forces resumed intensified attacks along the Durand Line, particularly in Khost, Nangarhar, Paktika and Kunar Provinces.
A Taliban official in Khost said attacks had begun on Pakistani posts in the districts of Zazi Maidan, Ali Sher and Terezai, claiming several posts were captured or destroyed.
Pakistan responded with air and artillery strikes on Taliban positions in border areas. Reports indicated renewed bombardment in Nangarhar and around Kabul, though less intense than the previous day.
The United Nations and Russia urged both sides to implement an immediate ceasefire and turn to diplomacy, as concerns mounted over civilian harm.
In the following days, exchanges of fire and retaliatory strikes continued along the frontier. Pakistan said it had inflicted heavy casualties on Taliban forces and destroyed dozens of their bases. The Taliban made similar claims regarding Pakistani forces.
On March 2, Kabul residents again reported Pakistani aircraft overhead and reciprocal Taliban fire. The situation remains fragile, with many border crossings closed and diplomatic efforts by regional and international actors ongoing to prevent further escalation.
Disputes over casualty figures and damage have made independent verification of the full extent of the fighting difficult.
