Pakistan military: Air strikes targeted in Kabul, other cities

Pakistan military: Air strikes targeted in Kabul, other cities

Pakistan Military Conducts Air Strikes in Kabul and Afghan Provinces Amid Escalating Tensions

On February 27, 2026, Pakistan's military launched air strikes targeting Taliban government facilities in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, as well as Kandahar and Paktika provinces, marking a significant escalation in cross-border hostilities. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared the situation an "open war" with Afghanistan, citing "unprovoked aggression" by Afghan forces against Pakistani military positions along their shared border. The strikes followed a series of retaliatory attacks by Afghan Taliban forces, which claimed to have captured 19 Pakistani military posts and inflicted heavy casualties.

Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that 133 Taliban fighters were killed and 27 of their military posts destroyed, while emphasizing that strikes targeted militant infrastructure rather than civilians. Conversely, Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid reported 55 Pakistani soldiers killed and 19 posts seized, though independent verification of casualty figures remains challenging. The conflict has disrupted trade and migration routes, with the Torkham border crossing—a critical corridor for Afghan returnees— experiencing renewed shelling and mortar attacks.

Regional and international actors have urged de-escalation. The UN, China, and Iran called for dialogue to prevent further destabilization. Saudi Arabia and Turkey engaged in diplomatic efforts to mediate, while Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated the military's readiness to "crush any aggressive ambitions" according to reports. Analysts note that Pakistan's nuclear capabilities and superior military resources contrast with Afghanistan's reliance on guerrilla tactics, though prolonged conflict risks economic strain on both nations.

The financial implications of the conflict include heightened regional uncertainty, potential disruptions to trade, and increased military spending. With both sides locked in a cycle of retaliation, the absence of a diplomatic resolution could exacerbate economic vulnerabilities in South Asia, particularly for Afghanistan, which faces severe resource constraints. Investors are closely monitoring developments, as prolonged instability may deter foreign capital and deepen humanitarian crises.

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