February 27, 2026

Pakistan Declares Open War on Taliban, Strikes Afghan Capital

Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif announced the start of an open war with the Taliban government in Afghanistan following the initiation of hostilities in Pakistani provinces. He accused the Taliban of turning Afghanistan into an Indian colony. The official stated that the Taliban "has gathered terrorists from all over the world in Afghanistan and started exporting terrorism," while also depriving its people, especially women, of basic human rights. "Today, when Pakistan attempted aggression, thank God, our forces are giving a strong response. Our patience has run out. Now we will start an open war with you. Now the fire will be the spark," Asif declared. On the eve of these events, the Taliban reported launching a military operation against Pakistan in the provinces of Khost, Paktia, Nuristan, and other areas, citing "repeated provocations and border violations by Islamabad." The Taliban's Ministry of Defense claimed to have captured 19 Pakistani military posts and two bases, resulting in the deaths of 55 Pakistani soldiers. Meanwhile, Pakistan conducted a series of airstrikes on Kabul, as well as the provinces of Kandahar and Paktia in Afghanistan, reportedly killing 133 Taliban members and wounding over 200, which the Taliban denies. Earlier, on February 22nd, Pakistani forces conducted airstrikes in Paktia and Nangarhar provinces, targeting alleged camps of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and ISIS groups, which Islamabad blamed for terrorist attacks in Pakistan, including a mosque bombing in early February. Pakistan's Ministry of Information stated that the attacks were carried out by Pakistani Taliban under the guidance of "handlers from Afghanistan," with Al Jazeera reporting 70 members killed in the strikes, though the Taliban claimed women and children were among the casualties.