Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities said Wednesday they carried out major retaliatory attacks against Pakistani military positions across the Durand Line, saying 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed, as tensions between Kabul and Pakistan sharply escalated following airstrikes that the United Nations says killed civilians inside Afghanistan.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of National Defense of the Taliban government in Afghanistan, officials said the operation began at 8 p.m. on 26 February, targeting Pakistani military posts along eastern and southeastern sectors of the Durand Line.
The ministry described the assault as retaliation for violations of Afghan airspace and the killing of women and children in recent Pakistani airstrikes. It said fighting lasted approximately four hours and ended at midnight on the order of the Taliban chief of army staff.
The statement claimed 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed, two bases and 19 military posts were captured or destroyed, and additional posts were abandoned. It also said a Pakistani tank was destroyed, a military transport vehicle seized, and weapons and ammunition captured. Eight Taliban fighters were reported killed and several others wounded.
Independent verification of the casualty figures from either side was not immediately possible.
The escalation follows airstrikes carried out by Pakistani forces late on 21 February and into the early hours of 22 February. In a statement issued on 23 February, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said it had received credible reports of civilian casualties resulting from Pakistani air operations.
According to UNAMA, airstrikes in Behsud and Khogyani districts of Nangarhar province killed at least 13 civilians and injured seven others, including women and children. Additional strikes in Barmal district of Paktika province hit a madrassa and partially damaged a nearby mosque, while another strike in Urgun district damaged a vacant residential house. No civilian casualties were reported in those two incidents.
UNAMA called on all parties to bring a lasting end to hostilities and reminded them of their obligations under international law to protect civilians.
The Nangarhar incident has heightened anger in affected communities, with residents reporting that the strikes occurred shortly before midnight.
Later Wednesday, Taliban chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on X that Pakistani forces had carried out additional airstrikes in certain areas of Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia, adding that no casualties had been reported.
Karzai Urges Policy Change After New Airstrikes
Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Pakistani jets had once again bombed Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia, calling on Afghans to remain united in defending the country.
In a post on X, Karzai said Afghans would defend their homeland “under all circumstances” and would respond to force “with courage.” He added that Pakistan could not resolve problems “it has created itself” through violence and bombardment, and urged Islamabad to change its policy and pursue good neighborly relations, mutual respect and civilized engagement with Afghanistan.
Taliban Launches Second Retaliation After Pakistani Airstrike
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid posted on X that following airstrikes in Kabul, Kandahar, and other provinces, extensive retaliatory operations were reportedly carried out against Pakistani military positions in Kandahar and Helmand provinces.
