Afghanistan and Pakistan are once again on the brink of a serious military confrontation after Kabul claimed its forces killed 55 Pakistani soldiers in a retaliatory operation along their disputed border. Islamabad responded with a large-scale counteroffensive dubbed Operation ‘Ghazab Lil Haq’, sharply escalating tensions between the two neighbors and raising fears of wider instability in the region.
According to the Ministry of National Defence, Afghan forces launched the operation late on February 26, during the 9th day of Ramadan. Officials described the strike as a direct response to what they called a recent violation of Afghan territory by Pakistani troops that allegedly resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children. The ministry said Afghan units targeted multiple Pakistani military positions across eastern and southeastern stretches of the frontier.
Kabul claims the four-hour assault inflicted significant damage. Afghan officials say 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed, two military bases were destroyed, and 19 border posts were seized. They also reported destroying an armored vehicle, capturing a military transport truck, and confiscating large quantities of weapons and ammunition. Afghan authorities acknowledged losses as well, stating that eight of their fighters were killed and 11 wounded. Additionally, they alleged that a missile strike hit a refugee camp in Nangarhar province, injuring 13 civilians.
Pakistan swiftly rejected the narrative and announced Operation ‘Ghazab Lil Haq’ as retaliation. Pakistani officials said their forces targeted Taliban positions across several border districts, including Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram, and Bajaur. Islamabad claimed the counterstrikes killed 133 Afghan Taliban fighters, wounded more than 200, destroyed 27 posts, and captured nine others. None of these figures have been independently verified, and both sides are relying on official statements.
The situation became even more volatile after Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Afghan Taliban government, accused Pakistan of conducting airstrikes inside Afghan territory, including areas near Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia. In a social media post, he condemned the attacks but noted that no casualties had been reported from those particular strikes. Pakistani authorities have not publicly confirmed air operations over major Afghan cities.
At the center of the confrontation lies the Durand Line, a 2,611-kilometer boundary drawn in 1893 during British colonial rule. Afghanistan has never formally recognized the line as an international border, arguing that it divides Pashtun communities and was imposed without Afghan consent. The dispute has fueled decades of mistrust, cross-border skirmishes, and accusations that militant groups operate from sanctuaries on either side.
Security analysts warn that the scale and intensity of the latest exchange could mark a dangerous turning point. Both countries face internal security pressures, economic challenges, and fragile political situations, making sustained military escalation particularly risky. So far, there has been no confirmation of diplomatic engagement, ceasefire negotiations, or international mediation efforts.
Key highlights:
Afghanistan claims to have killed 55 Pakistani soldiers and captured multiple border posts; Pakistan says it eliminated 133 Taliban fighters in retaliatory strikes; both sides accuse each other of violating sovereignty; airstrike allegations have further inflamed tensions; the disputed Durand Line remains a long-standing flashpoint with no formal resolution in sight.