The Pakistani strikes hit the capital Kabul and the city of Kandahar, where Taliban leaders are based. Now it is open war between us and you (Afghanistan)," Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said on Friday. Pakistani air strikes hit 22 Afghan military targets, killing 274 Taliban officials and militants, military spokesperson Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry told reporters. Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the strikes were carried out by Pakistani Taliban militants and all the drones brought down with "no damage to life". Kabul and the United Nations said the strikes killed 13 civilians and the Taliban warned there would be a strong response.

Source: Irish Independent February 27, 2026 19:11 UTC