Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have reached a dangerous flashpoint following significant cross-border Pakistan Airstrikes. On February 22, 2026, Pakistan launched a series of “intelligence-based” airstrikes targeting several provinces in eastern Afghanistan. The Taliban leadership in Kabul immediately condemned the operation, describing it as a blatant violation of national sovereignty. Sources within the Afghan government indicate that a retaliatory response is “definitely” coming, though they emphasize that any counter-strike will occur at a “perfect time.”
Inside the Strikes: Targets and the Rising Human Cost
The Pakistani military utilized F-16 and JF-17 Thunder aircraft to target seven distinct militant hideouts. According to Islamabad, the operation hit camps belonging to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), often referred to by Pakistan as “Fitna al Khwarij,” and the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP). Specifically, missiles struck targets in the Barmal and Urgun districts of Paktika, as well as several locations in Nangarhar and Khost.
However, the humanitarian fallout has been severe. Local Afghan reports and footage emerging from the region show rescuers digging through the rubble of a religious seminary and civilian homes. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated that dozens were killed or wounded, including women and children. In the Behsud district of Nangarhar, reports suggest that 23 members of a single family were buried under debris after their home was hit.
The Catalyst: A Surge in Militant Violence in Pakistan
The airstrikes serve as a direct response to a spate of deadly attacks inside Pakistan earlier this week. On February 16, a suicide vehicle bombing in the Bajaur district killed 11 security personnel and a young girl. This was followed by another suicide attack in the Bannu district on February 21, which claimed the lives of two soldiers, including a high-ranking lieutenant colonel.
Islamabad maintains it has “conclusive evidence” that these attacks were orchestrated by handlers based in Afghanistan. Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar asserted that Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Taliban to prevent militant groups from using Afghan soil, yet no substantive action has been taken. Consequently, Pakistan’s military has warned it will no longer exercise restraint, regardless of the location of the perpetrators.
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Diplomatic Fallout and Regional Stability
The escalation has triggered urgent high-level meetings in Kabul and Kandahar. In addition to the military warning, the Taliban has formally complained to international mediators, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey. Kabul alleges that Islamabad has violated existing security understandings reached in previous months.
The 2,600-km Durand Line has long been a source of friction. Frequent border clashes have forced key trade crossings to shut, disrupting regional movement. While a fragile ceasefire was agreed upon in late 2025, this latest round of airstrikes effectively shatters the truce. As both nations move more troops toward the frontier, the international community remains on high alert, fearing that a miscalculation could lead to a broader regional conflict.