More than 300 people died in the Afghanistan-Pakistan conflict

The Pakistani army today launched “unrestricted war” with Afghanistan, launching air strikes against the capital Kabul and several other areas in the neighboring country in response to the attack launched by the Taliban on the morning of February 26.

Pakistani military spokesman Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the country’s forces had airstrikes on 22 military targets in Afghanistan, killing 274 Taliban officials and fighters. At least 12 Islamabad soldiers were killed.

“An effective, immediate and strong response was made,” Mr Chaudhry said.

Meanwhile, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said the country’s forces had killed 55 Pakistani soldiers and occupied 19 military outposts.

Mujahid confirmed that Pakistan conducted air strikes on the Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia areas on the night of February 26, then continued to attack Paktia, Paktika, Khost and Laghman on February 27. The overnight airstrikes did not cause casualties, but civilians were killed on February 27.

Thirteen Taliban fighters were killed, 12 injured in the two-hour retaliatory operations, Mujahid added. “Afghanistan has always tried to solve problems through dialogue, and now we want the same.”

Neither Afghanistan nor Pakistan commented on the number of casualties given by the other side.

The Afghan Ministry of Defense previously announced that it had successfully carried out drone attacks on military targets in Pakistan. Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said these attacks were carried out by the armed group Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and all drones were brought down, causing no loss of life.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar warned that Islamabad would respond appropriately if the Taliban continued to act aggressively.

TTP was formed in 2007 and regularly attacks Pakistani security forces. Pakistani military officials, United Nations experts, and independent experts believe that the Taliban provide financial support to the TTP leadership team, while this force denies it.

TTP is the source of prolonged tension in Afghanistan-Pakistan relations. The two sides clashed in October 2025, after Pakistan airstrikes on Kabul targeted the TTP leader. The Taliban responded with attacks on Pakistani military bases along the border.