Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:28am on 27 Feb 2026,Friday International
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared "open war" against Afghanistan's Taliban government following intense airstrikes on Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia. Pakistan described its military campaign, "Operation Ghazab Lil Haq," as a response to Afghan cross-border attacks on Pakistani border troops. AFP journalists reported explosions and gunfire lasting over two hours above Kabul and Kandahar. Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed Pakistani strikes but denied casualties. Afghanistan maintained its cross-border operations were retaliatory. President Asif Ali Zardari vowed Pakistan's response would be "comprehensive and decisive." Civilian areas near the Torkham crossing were also hit, wounding refugees and forcing evacuations. Both nations continue issuing sharply conflicting casualty figures.
