According to the spokesperson for the Taliban movement, Zabihullah Mujahid, this decision was made in response to "provocations and border violations" from Islamabad. On February 21, the Pakistani armed forces conducted airstrikes on the Afghan provinces of Paktia and Nangarhar, claiming that their targets were camps of terrorists linked to the groups "Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan" and "Islamic State."
The conflict erupted in the provinces of Nangarhar, Nuristan, Kunar, Khost, Paktia, and Paktika. Mujahid claims that the Taliban managed to seize 15 positions and kill 40 enemy soldiers, with additional wounded and captured. In response, the Pakistani Ministry of Information reported that the Taliban opened "unprovoked fire" along the border, to which there was an "immediate and effective response," resulting in "significant losses" for the enemy. According to Reuters sources, there were 22 Taliban fatalities and downed drones, and the firefight lasted over two hours.
The spokesperson for the Pakistani Prime Minister, Musharraf Zaidi, noted that none of the Pakistani posts were captured or destroyed. He also warned that "any aggression will provoke a mirrored response." Mujahid, in turn, allowed for the possibility of attacks on "key centers and important cities" in Pakistan in the event of aggression against Kabul or other major population centers in Afghanistan.
Amid rising tensions, Pakistan has increased security measures across the country: troops have been put on high alert, operations based on intelligence have been intensified, and dozens of suspects linked to militants, including Afghan nationals, have been detained, Reuters reports.
On the night of February 27, Pakistan carried out airstrikes on several Afghan cities.
According to the spokesperson for the Supreme Leader of Afghanistan, Zabihullah Mojahid, "the Pakistani army attacked areas in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia; fortunately, there have been no reports of casualties." Residents of Kabul reported to AFP hearing up to eight explosions, followed by gunfire. According to Geo, the strikes targeted an ammunition depot on Afghan territory.
Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed that the country's army struck targets in Kabul and the provinces of Paktia and Kandahar. "Our forces are capable of suppressing any aggressive ambitions," later stated Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. "The entire nation supports the Pakistani armed forces."
