Border Erupts as Pakistan Launches Major Military Offensive Against Afghan Taliban

Islamabad | February 27, 2026: A sharp military escalation has unfolded along the frontier separating Pakistan and Afghanistan after Islamabad confirmed it carried out extensive cross-border strikes targeting Taliban-linked positions. The action, launched before dawn on Friday, was described by Pakistani authorities as a retaliatory move following late-night firing from across the boundary in several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The operation, named “Ghazab lil-Haq,” reportedly struck locations in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia, while an ammunition storage site in Nangarhar province was also said to have been destroyed. Pakistani officials stated that more than 130 Taliban fighters were killed during the offensive, calling the response firm and far-reaching.

President Asif Ali Zardari asserted that the country would stand resolute in defending its sovereignty, warning that any hostile act would meet a powerful reply. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif described the situation as an “open war,” saying Islamabad’s patience had been exhausted after repeated security challenges emanating from Afghan territory.

At the heart of the dispute is Pakistan’s long-standing accusation that the Afghan Taliban leadership has failed to curb the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, which has intensified attacks inside Pakistan in recent months. Kabul has consistently rejected these claims, instead accusing Pakistan of violating Afghan sovereignty and causing civilian harm through aerial operations.

The flare-up has also drawn reaction from India, which criticised the air raids and voiced concern over reported civilian casualties. New Delhi has repeatedly dismissed Islamabad’s allegations that it supports anti-Pakistan militant groups operating from Afghan soil.

With diplomatic ties strained and military rhetoric hardening on both sides, the latest confrontation signals a dangerous turn in relations between Islamabad and the Taliban-led administration in Kabul, raising fears of prolonged instability along one of South Asia’s most volatile borders.