Pakistan bombed major cities in Afghanistan, including the capital Kabul, on Friday (February 27, 2026), with Islamabad's Defence Minister declaring the neighbours at "open war" following months of tit-for-tat clashes. AFP journalists in Kabul and Kandahar heard blasts and jets overhead, as Pakistan launched air strikes on the Afghan capital and southern power base of the Taliban authorities. Islamabad accuses Afghanistan of failing to act against militant groups that carry out attacks in Pakistan, which the Taliban government denies. "Afghan Taliban defence targets were targeted in Kabul, Paktia [province] and Kandahar," Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar posted on X, while Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared an "all-out confrontation" with the Taliban government. After repeated breaches of the initial ceasefire, Saudi Arabia intervened this month, mediating the release of three Pakistani soldiers captured by Afghanistan in October.

Source: The Hindu February 27, 2026 13:38 UTC