By Agency Report, February 28, 2026
Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities have expressed readiness for dialogue with Pakistan after Islamabad launched air strikes on major Afghan cities, including Kabul and Kandahar, escalating tensions between the two neighbours.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, described the situation as an “open war,” following a series of cross-border clashes. The strikes reportedly targeted key locations in Kabul, Kandahar, and eastern provinces such as Khost and Paktika, while fighting continued along the border.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the Afghan leadership was willing to resolve the crisis through dialogue, insisting that Kabul prefers negotiations over prolonged confrontation. However, both sides have traded heavy casualty claims, with figures yet to be independently verified.
Pakistan’s military said its air and ground operations killed hundreds of Afghan forces and allied fighters, while acknowledging casualties among its troops. Afghan officials disputed the numbers, reporting losses on both sides and civilian casualties from the bombardment.
The escalation follows months of strained relations, largely over Pakistan’s allegation that Afghanistan shelters Pakistan Taliban fighters, a claim Kabul denies. The latest hostilities mark the most significant bombardment of Afghan territory since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has expressed deep concern over the violence and its humanitarian impact, urging both parties to exercise restraint and seek a peaceful resolution.
Analysts warn that despite strong rhetoric, deep ethnic and tribal ties across the Durand Line could complicate any sustained large-scale conflict between the two countries.
