- By Shubham Bajpai
- Thu, 26 Feb 2026 11:43 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Taliban administration in Afghanistan has launched a large-scale counteroffensive against Pakistani border posts. The offensive, confirmed by the Taliban regime, is in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes days earlier.
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, said "large-scale offensive operations" were initiated along the disputed Durand Line. The action was in response to "repeated provocations and violations by Pakistani military forces."
In a post on X, Mujahid said, "In response to repeated insurrections and insurrections by Pakistan’s military circles, extensive offensive operations were launched on Pakistani army centres and military facilities along the Durand Line".
Calling it "unprovoked fire" from Afghanistan, Islamabad has also started fierce firing. Pakistan's Information Ministry said that the country is responding at the border.
Both countries have been embroiled in tension for months. Earlier in October, dozens of soldiers, civilians and suspected militants were killed in deadly clashes.
The violence along the border started, following explosions in Kabul that Afghan officials blamed on Pakistan. Back then, Rawalpindi conducted strikes deep inside Afghanistan to target militant hideouts.
On Sunday, February 22, Pakistan's military conducted airstrikes along the border with Afghanistan, saying it had killed at least 70 militants.
Pakistan described the attacks as a response to recent suicide bombings, including those at a Shia mosque in Islamabad, in Bajaur, and in Bannu, which the TTP claimed responsibility for. Pakistan's Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, said operations against terrorist hideouts would continue, wherever they were.
Afghanistan rejected the claim about militants and accused Pakistan of killing dozens of civilians, including women and children.
The Afghan Defense Ministry and local sources confirmed at least 17-18 civilian deaths, including those in a madrasa and residential areas.
Afghanistan has time and again accused Pakistan of violating the border, while Pakistan has been firm with its accusations against Afghanistan , saying it has been harbouring groups like the TTP.