What we know following the most recent spike in tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan
The Taliban regime in Afghanistan claimed to have attacked Pakistani military installations close to the border on Thursday night.
Within hours, Pakistan retaliated by hitting targets in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, as well as the Afghan regions of Paktika and Kandahar, which are located near its 2,600-kilometer (1,615-mile) border.
The BBC has not yet confirmed whether there are injuries on either side, and details are still coming in.
After a week of deadly hostilities, the two nations agreed to a ceasefire last October; the bombings are the most important step in the ongoing tensions between them.
This is what we currently know.
Overnight, an armed offensive began around 20:00 local time on 26 February along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border in multiple provinces, initiated by Taliban forces. Pakistan responded swiftly, accusing the Taliban of unprovoked attacks and launching counter-strikes, including bombing raids targeting Afghan locations such as Kabul and border regions.
Further clashes occurred near the strategic Torkham border crossing. The Afghan Taliban claimed to have conducted drone air strikes on Pakistani military sites in Kandahar and Helmand, though one such claim on social media was later deleted. Pakistani officials confirmed that Taliban-launched drones targeted three locations in Pakistan but were all intercepted and destroyed.
This marks an unprecedented escalation, as Taliban drone capabilities are generally limited due to reliance on commercially available drones with improvised explosives. Verification of all claims remains incomplete.
This marks an unprecedented escalation, as Taliban drone capabilities are generally limited due to reliance on commercially available drones with improvised explosives. Verification of all claims remains incomplete.
What are the countries saying?
Both Afghanistan’s Taliban and Pakistan accuse each other of initiating attacks and claim to have inflicted heavy losses on the opponent.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that Pakistani forces had "crushed" their enemies, and Pakistan’s defense minister declared "open war" on the Afghan Taliban.
The Taliban say they will retaliate if attacked but claim they are not starting clashes at this time.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed many Pakistani soldiers were killed or captured, which Pakistan denies.
Pakistan’s prime minister’s spokesman claimed over 130 Taliban fighters killed and 200 wounded, though these figures are unverified.
The UN called for immediate de-escalation.
Iran, sharing borders with both, offered to mediate, emphasizing Ramadan as a time for restraint and solidarity.
China urged calm and restraint, calling for a ceasefire.
Saudi Arabia engaged diplomatically with Pakistan to ease tensions.
Why is this happening?
The recent air strikes are part of ongoing hostilities, with the previous serious flare-up in October ending in a fragile ceasefire brokered by Turkey and Qatar.
Pakistan accuses the Afghan Taliban government of supporting militants responsible for attacks in Pakistan, including a mosque suicide bombing in Islamabad.
The Taliban deny this, asserting Afghanistan’s territory is not being used against other countries and accuse Pakistan of unprovoked attacks harming civilians.
Pakistan insists it targets only militants.
Recent Pakistani air strikes killed civilians, including women and children, according to the Taliban.
Analysts believe the Taliban, outgunned by nuclear-armed Pakistan, are unlikely to engage in conventional warfare but have strong guerrilla capabilities.
The latest Pakistani strikes are notable for targeting Taliban government facilities, not just militant groups, marking a significant escalation.
Taliban rhetoric suggests a commitment to ongoing attacks against Pakistan, raising the risk of broader conflict.
The Taliban’s military chief warned of a "more decisive response" from their side in the future.
Both Afghanistan’s Taliban and Pakistan accuse each other of initiating attacks and claim to have inflicted heavy losses on the opponent.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that Pakistani forces had "crushed" their enemies, and Pakistan’s defense minister declared "open war" on the Afghan Taliban.
The Taliban say they will retaliate if attacked but claim they are not starting clashes at this time.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed many Pakistani soldiers were killed or captured, which Pakistan denies.
Pakistan’s prime minister’s spokesman claimed over 130 Taliban fighters killed and 200 wounded, though these figures are unverified.
The UN called for immediate de-escalation.
Iran, sharing borders with both, offered to mediate, emphasizing Ramadan as a time for restraint and solidarity.
China urged calm and restraint, calling for a ceasefire.
Saudi Arabia engaged diplomatically with Pakistan to ease tensions.
Why is this happening?
The recent air strikes are part of ongoing hostilities, with the previous serious flare-up in October ending in a fragile ceasefire brokered by Turkey and Qatar.
Pakistan accuses the Afghan Taliban government of supporting militants responsible for attacks in Pakistan, including a mosque suicide bombing in Islamabad.
The Taliban deny this, asserting Afghanistan’s territory is not being used against other countries and accuse Pakistan of unprovoked attacks harming civilians.
Pakistan insists it targets only militants.
Recent Pakistani air strikes killed civilians, including women and children, according to the Taliban.
Analysts believe the Taliban, outgunned by nuclear-armed Pakistan, are unlikely to engage in conventional warfare but have strong guerrilla capabilities.
The latest Pakistani strikes are notable for targeting Taliban government facilities, not just militant groups, marking a significant escalation.
Taliban rhetoric suggests a commitment to ongoing attacks against Pakistan, raising the risk of broader conflict.
The Taliban’s military chief warned of a "more decisive response" from their side in the future.
This situation remains tense and precarious, with calls for restraint amid escalating violence.
