Pakistan Carries Out Strikes in Afghanistan, ‘Killing and Wounding Dozens’

On February 22, 2026, Pakistan launched multiple air strikes on purported militant targets in Afghanistan, following an escalation of violence linked to recent suicide bombings within Pakistan. The Pakistani government declared that the strikes were aimed at seven militant camps along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and were intended as retaliation against groups it accused of operating from Afghan territory.

The Taliban's defense ministry responded by stating that the air strikes caused significant casualties among civilians, including women and children. Reports suggest the attacks specifically targeted residential areas in the provinces of Nangarhar and Paktika, leading to claims of dozens killed and wounded. Afghan officials also asserted that civilian homes and a religious school were struck during the operations.

Pakistan's Ministry of Information described the air strikes as "intelligence-based selective targeting," claiming that the operation focused on members of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP). The ministry reiterated its belief that the attacks in Pakistan were orchestrated by these militant groups operating with the support of leadership in Afghanistan.

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have remained high, particularly after a October ceasefire agreement aimed at reducing cross-border clashes. However, ongoing accusations from Pakistan allege that the Afghan Taliban have failed to curb hostilities from militants, leading to increased military action in recent weeks.

In a statement, the Taliban condemned the strikes as a "blatant violation" of Afghanistan's sovereignty and threatened to respond appropriately. This military exchange follows a period of increased violence in the region, compounded by recent terrorist incidents, such as a suicide attack on a Shia mosque in Islamabad.

As these developments unfold, the situation remains precarious, amid concerns about potential further escalation in violence along the shared border, which spans approximately 2,600 kilometers (1,600 miles).