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2026 Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan

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2026 Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan
Part of 2026 Afghanistan–Pakistan war, Afghanistan–Pakistan clashes (2024–present)
Location
Nangarhar Province, Paktika Province, Afghanistan
TargetAlleged camps and hideouts of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Islamic State – Khorasan Province
Date22 February 2026
Executed byPakistan Air Force
Casualties
  • At least 18 civilians killed (per Afghan sources)
  • 80 militants killed (per Pakistan)

The 2026 Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan were carried out on 22 and 26 February 2026 by Pakistan with multiple airstrikes on targets in eastern Afghanistan, in the provinces of Nangarhar and Paktika that killed at least 18 people.[1] Pakistan stated that the strikes were "intelligence-based, selective operations" against seven camps and hideouts belonging to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP, also referred to by Pakistani authorities as Fitna al-Khawarij), its affiliates, and the Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISKP).[2][3][4][5]

Pakistan described the operation as a retributive response to a series of suicide bombings inside Pakistan, including the 6 February bombing of a Shia mosque in Islamabad that killed 31 worshippers (claimed by ISKP), and attacks in Bajaur and Bannu districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the early days of Ramadan. This was the seventh time Pakistan has carried out airstrike in Afghanistan since the Afghan Taliban took over in August 2021.[6][7]

The Taliban-led Afghan government condemned the strikes as a "blatant violation of Afghanistan’s territorial integrity" and a breach of international law, stating that they hit civilian homes, a religious seminary, and other civilian structures, killing at least 18 people (including women and children) and leaving others missing under rubble. Afghan officials vowed an "appropriate and measured response" at a suitable time.[2][3]

On 26 February 2026, Afghanistan launched a retaliatory operation against Pakistan. In response, Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab Lil Haqq ("Wrath for the Truth") against the Taliban.[8]

Background

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The strikes occurred against the backdrop of long-running tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban government of Afghanistan, centred on Pakistan's accusations that Afghan soil is used as a safe haven by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militants to launch attacks inside Pakistan.[3][7] A fragile ceasefire was agreed in October 2025 after the deadliest cross-border clashes in years, mediated by Qatar,[3][7][9] but subsequent talks failed to produce a lasting agreement and low-level incidents continued.[3][7] The operation took place days after the Saudi Arabia-mediated release of three Pakistani soldiers captured during the October 2025 clashes.[2]

On 11 February 2026, Pakistani defence minister Khawaja Asif warned that Pakistan may take action against militants in Afghanistan before the start of Ramadan if the Taliban did not curb militant activity from its territory.[10] February saw multiple terror attacks in Pakistan, notably a suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque in the capital of Islamabad which killed 36 people and an attack on a checkpoint in Bajaur which killed 11 soldiers and a child. In response to the latter, the Pakistani government issued a démarche to the Afghan ambassador on 19 February.[11] A warning followed that Pakistan "would not hesitate" to launch air operations inside Afghanistan if the Taliban government did not take action against militant groups using its territory.[12][13][14] Another suicide attack followed in Bannu on 21 February, after which "Pakistan's patience appeared to have run out".[11]

Airstrikes

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Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting stated that the military conducted "intelligence-based selective targeting" of seven terrorist camps and hideouts along the border region. Specific locations reported by Afghan sources included Girdi Kas village in Bihsud District, Nangarhar Province, and areas in Bermal and Urgun Districts of Paktika Province. The Taliban claimed that the targets included civilian homes and a religious seminary.[2][6]

Casualties

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Afghan authorities reported at least 18 people killed, including women and children, with one family in Girdi Kas losing 18 of 23 members. Additional casualties were reported in Paktika, and some people remained missing under rubble. A religious seminary and guesthouse struck in Paktika were reported empty at the time of the attacks.[2][3]

Reactions

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Domestic

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  •  Pakistan: Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and the Ministry of Information described the strikes as necessary self-defence and urged the international community to pressure the Taliban to honour commitments under the 2020 Doha Agreement not to allow Afghan soil to be used against other countries.[7][3]
  •  Afghanistan: The Taliban's Ministry of Defence and spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid condemned the strikes as attacks on civilians and religious sites. The defence ministry stated that Pakistan would be held responsible and that Afghanistan would respond "in due course with a measured and appropriate response".[2][6]
  •  India: The India Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attack and highlighted the casualties of women and children in the attack.[15]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Pakistan and Afghanistan announce duelling military operations amid border clashes". Türkiye Today. Retrieved 2026-02-26.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Ottilie Mitchell and Yama Bariz (22 February 2026). "Pakistan launches deadly strikes on Afghanistan". BBC News. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Afghanistan promises 'appropriate response' after deadly Pakistani strikes". Al Jazeera. 22 February 2026. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  4. ^ Saifi, Sophia (February 22, 2026). "Pakistan launches airstrikes against Afghan-based 'militants' it blames for cross-border attacks". CNN.
  5. ^ Sirat, Siyar (February 21, 2026). "Pakistan carries out airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan".
  6. ^ a b c Sophia Saifi (22 February 2026). "Pakistan launches airstrikes against Afghan-based 'militants' it blames for cross-border attacks". CNN. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Pakistan strikes militant hideouts on Afghan border after surge in attacks". The Guardian. 22 February 2026. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  8. ^ Ahmed, Munir; español, ABDUL QAHAR AFGHAN Leer en (2026-02-21). "Pakistan claims to have killed at least 70 militants in strikes along the Afghan border". AP News. Retrieved 2026-02-26.
  9. ^ "Afghanistan and Pakistan agree to immediate ceasefire during a round of negotiations in Doha". Reuters. 19 October 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
  10. ^ "May Act Against Militants In Afghanistan, Says Pakistan". Afghanistan International. 11 February 2026. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  11. ^ a b Hussain, Abid (2026-02-24). "Afghanistan bombing: What's Pakistan's strategy as India-Taliban ties grow?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ^ "Pak Defence Minister Warns of Strikes if Taliban Fails to Curb Militants". Afghanistan International. 19 February 2026. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  13. ^ "Won't hesitate to launch strikes inside Afghanistan: Kh Asif". Dawn. 19 February 2026. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  14. ^ "Armed forces strike 7 terrorist camps along Pakistan-Afghanistan border in response to recent suicide bombings". Dawn. 22 February 2026. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  15. ^ "'Women, children killed': India strongly condemns Pakistani strikes in Afghanistan during Ramadan". The Times of India. 2026-02-22. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
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