Pakistan initiated “Operation Ghazab lil-Haq” (Wrath for Justice) in pre-dawn hours on February 27, 2026, striking Afghan Taliban targets in Kabul, Kandahar, Paktia, and Nangarhar after unprovoked border attacks killed two Pakistani soldiers. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif declared “open war,” claiming 133 militants neutralized, 27 posts destroyed, and 9 captured.
Operation Trigger and Targets
Retaliation followed Taliban firing on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa districts like Chitral, Khyber, and Bajaur. Precision airstrikes hit military sites and an ammo depot, marking escalation beyond skirmishes to urban assaults on key cities.
Conflicting Casualty Claims
Pakistan reports 133 Taliban dead; Afghanistan counters with 55 Pakistani soldiers killed in prior clashes, capturing 19 outposts including Anzar Sar HQ. Explosions rocked Kabul, with Taliban vowing retaliation.
Roots in Durand Line Tensions
Longstanding accusations: Pakistan blames Taliban for sheltering TTP militants behind deadly attacks; Kabul rejects border legitimacy and claims Pakistani incursions. Recent Pakistani strikes on TTP/ISIS-K camps ignited this cycle.
Regional Fallout Fears
Nuclear neighbors’ “open war” risks broader instability, refugee waves, terror spillovers. India monitors amid its Pakistan border; global calls urge de-escalation to avert South Asian crisis.
| Key Stats | Pakistan Claim | Taliban Claim |
|---|---|---|
| Militants Killed | 133 | N/A |
| Posts Destroyed/Captured | 27/9 | 19 Pakistani outposts |
| Pakistani Losses | 2 soldiers | 55 soldiers |
