Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced that 415 Afghan Taliban members were killed in military strikes across Afghanistan. According to his post on social media platform X, the attacks also left 580 people injured. The Pakistani military claimed to have destroyed 182 checkpoints and captured 31 others, along with 85 tanks, armed vehicles, and guns. The operations reportedly included airstrikes at 41 locations nationwide, with the Kharchar checkpoint near the Kurram sector among those destroyed.

Pakistan stated that the strikes were a strong and effective retaliatory campaign against what it described as unprovoked attacks by Afghan Taliban forces along the border. The announcement marks a significant escalation in cross-border hostilities between the two neighboring countries.

The scale of the operation and the high casualty figures suggest a deepening conflict dynamic along the Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier, though independent verification of the claims was not mentioned in the report.

A Pakistani fighter jet crashed in the Afghan city of Jalalabad on Saturday, according to Afghan military and police officials. The pilot ejected using a parachute moments before the crash and was captured alive by Afghan forces. Witnesses told AFP that they saw the aircraft descending before hearing two loud explosions near the city’s airport.

Police spokesperson Tayeb Hammad confirmed that the Pakistani jet was shot down over Jalalabad and that its pilot was detained. Eastern Afghan military spokesperson Wahidullah Mohammadi also stated that Afghan forces were responsible for downing the aircraft and currently hold the pilot in custody. AFP journalists in the area reported hearing the sound of a jet followed by explosions before the crash announcement.

The incident occurred a day after Pakistan conducted airstrikes in Kabul and Kandahar, reportedly in response to a major Afghan military operation near the border on Thursday night. Pakistan’s military and information ministry did not immediately respond to AFP’s requests for comment.

The Taliban government of Afghanistan has called on Pakistan to engage in dialogue to resolve ongoing tensions between the two countries. The appeal came after Pakistan publicly declared war against Afghanistan. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated that Afghanistan has always sought to resolve issues through discussion and remains committed to a peaceful solution.

Despite a ceasefire agreement reached in October, cross-border attacks resumed on Thursday night, escalating into heavy exchanges between the neighboring nations. Pakistan accused Afghanistan of opening fire along the border. According to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s spokesperson, Musharraf Zaidi, Pakistan’s operations have killed 297 Afghan personnel and injured more than 450, destroying 89 military posts and 135 armored vehicles across 29 locations.

In response, an Afghan Taliban spokesperson claimed that their forces killed 55 Pakistani soldiers and damaged 19 Pakistani military posts. The situation marks a sharp deterioration in relations between the two countries, with both sides reporting significant losses.

Tensions have intensified along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border as both sides reported heavy losses following recent clashes. On Thursday, Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid claimed that Taliban forces attacked and captured several Pakistani border posts, killing security personnel. Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar denied the Taliban’s claims, asserting that Pakistani forces had effectively responded and killed 36 Taliban fighters, while confirming the deaths of two Pakistani soldiers.

The renewed violence follows Pakistan’s February 21 airstrikes in Afghanistan targeting militant hideouts, which Islamabad said killed more than 80 fighters. The Taliban’s interim defense ministry condemned those strikes and warned of a future response. Analysts cited in the report said a full-scale conventional war remains unlikely due to the Taliban’s limited air and logistical capabilities. Experts also noted that the Taliban’s arsenal includes weapons left by former Afghan and foreign forces, but their air power remains weak.

Security analysts observed that the Taliban continue to rely on guerrilla tactics, using light weapons and improvised explosives, while Pakistan maintains a conventional army with superior air capabilities.

Afghanistan’s Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has accused Pakistan of attempting to impose its internal conflicts on Afghanistan. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Mujahid said Afghanistan seeks positive relations with all countries, assuring the international community that Afghan territory will not be used against any nation. He emphasized that Afghanistan’s foreign policy is based on mutual respect and that it does not wish to pursue hostility toward others.

Mujahid described Pakistan’s internal conflict as a long-standing domestic issue, citing the ongoing fighting between Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Pakistani military since 2007. He noted that Afghanistan’s Taliban have been in power for nearly four years, arguing that Pakistan’s attempt to link its internal problems to Afghanistan is baseless. Mujahid further alleged that Pakistan has repeatedly violated Afghan airspace and targeted civilians, including women and children, in bombings.

He claimed Pakistan has broken previous ceasefire agreements and reiterated that Afghanistan has only exercised its legitimate right to self-defense. Mujahid called for resolving disputes through dialogue and reaffirmed the Taliban government’s commitment to peaceful solutions.

Reports from multiple Afghan provinces indicate that no major clashes occurred overnight along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, though sporadic shelling and gunfire were heard in some areas. BBC correspondent Hefzullah Maruf said that in Kunar province’s border districts of Shultan, Dangam, and Nari, both sides occasionally fired artillery shells at each other. Civilian and Taliban casualties were reported, though exact numbers remain unconfirmed.

In Nangarhar province, no direct fighting was observed, but intermittent gunfire occurred near the Torkham crossing. Refugees were evacuated from a large temporary camp near the border due to fear of renewed conflict. Many families attempting to return to Afghanistan through Torkham reportedly turned back amid the tension. In Khost, Paktia, and Paktika provinces, sources described sporadic exchanges of fire despite the absence of full-scale battles.

Another source claimed that Pakistan carried out an airstrike in Paktika’s Sarobi district, though the Taliban government has not issued any official statement regarding the incident.

Afghanistan’s Taliban-led Defense Ministry announced that its forces carried out attacks across multiple areas of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. According to the ministry’s statement, 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed, and several others were captured alive during the operation. The statement also claimed that Afghan forces seized hundreds of light and heavy weapons and took control of two Pakistani army headquarters and 19 checkpoints.

The ministry reported that eight Afghan soldiers were killed and 11 wounded in the clashes. It said the operation was launched in response to recent airstrikes by the Pakistani government inside Afghan territory. The statement did not specify the exact locations or timing of the attacks.

The announcement marks a sharp escalation in tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with both sides trading claims of cross-border assaults. The situation has drawn regional attention as both countries accuse each other of violating sovereignty.

Afghanistan’s government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has accused Pakistan of carrying out airstrikes in Kabul early Friday, just hours after Afghan forces reportedly crossed the border for an operation inside Pakistan. Afghan officials said at least three explosions were heard in the capital, though the exact locations and casualties remain unconfirmed. Mujahid also claimed that Pakistan targeted Kandahar and Paktia provinces. The developments have raised concerns that the Qatar-mediated ceasefire could be collapsing.

Earlier, Afghanistan said its cross-border operation was in response to a deadly Pakistani airstrike on Sunday that killed several people. Pakistan, however, maintained that its earlier strike targeted terrorist positions and dismissed Kabul’s claim of capturing military posts as “provocative.” Pakistani security sources told Geo News that their air force destroyed an ammunition depot in Nangarhar province, killing 133 Taliban members and injuring over 200 in retaliation for alleged border provocations.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged both countries to protect civilians and adhere to international law, while his spokesperson emphasized the need for intensified diplomatic efforts to resolve the dispute.

The Taliban government of Afghanistan has warned of retaliation following Pakistani airstrikes that killed at least 17 people in Afghan territory. The strikes, conducted on Saturday night, targeted areas in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, hitting a religious school and residential homes. Pakistan claimed the attacks were aimed at militant hideouts, while Kabul accused Islamabad of violating Afghanistan’s sovereignty and a ceasefire agreement.

In a statement, the Afghan government said it reserves the right to respond and that the timing and nature of any counterattack will be determined by Taliban leadership, though alternative options remain open. Taliban leaders held an emergency meeting to discuss possible responses and informed mediating countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey about the incident.

The Afghan Ministry of Defense condemned the strikes on Sunday, describing civilian casualties that included women and children. The situation has heightened tensions between the two neighboring countries, with Kabul asserting its right to defend national sovereignty.

Pakistan carried out air and drone strikes across several areas of Afghanistan early Sunday, reportedly killing around 17 people. Following the attacks in border regions, senior officials of Afghanistan’s Taliban government convened an emergency meeting to discuss possible retaliatory measures against Pakistan. In a statement, the Afghan government accused Pakistan of violating Afghanistan’s territorial integrity and asserted Kabul’s right to respond, though the timing of any counterattack would be determined by Taliban leaders.

According to The Week, Afghan authorities believe Pakistan’s new strikes breached an existing ceasefire agreement. They have informed mediator countries Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey about the situation. Pakistan claimed the strikes were precision operations based on intelligence targeting militant hideouts, while Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated on X that Pakistani forces attacked civilians, causing dozens of deaths.

The report noted that heavy border clashes occurred between the two nations last year before a ceasefire was brokered. Pakistan’s latest actions followed a rise in terrorist attacks inside its territory, which it blamed on Afghanistan.

Pakistan’s military carried out airstrikes across several areas of Afghanistan, killing at least 17 people, according to Afghan sources cited by Al Jazeera. The Pakistani government said the strikes targeted seven hideouts of Fitna al-Kharij’s affiliates and Daesh-Khorasan along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Islamabad described the operation as a response to a recent suicide attack in the Pakistani capital.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense condemned the strikes in a statement on Sunday, saying they hit a religious school and residential homes in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, causing civilian casualties including women and children. The attacks have placed a fragile ceasefire between the two neighbors under serious strain.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting stated on social media that the military targeted camps and secret bases of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and allied groups, as well as an Islamic State affiliate near the border. The ministry added that Islamabad had repeatedly urged the Taliban government to prevent armed groups from using Afghan territory for attacks but claimed Kabul had failed to act.

Afghanistan concluded its T20 World Cup journey with consecutive victories, defeating Canada by 82 runs in Chennai on February 20, 2026. After losing the toss, Afghanistan batted first and posted 200 runs, marking the first time the team reached this milestone in T20 World Cup history. Opener Ibrahim Zadran led the innings with an unbeaten 95 off 56 balls, the highest individual score by an Afghan batsman in the tournament. Rahmanullah Gurbaz added 30 runs, while Sediqullah Atal contributed 44 off 32 balls.

In reply, Canada struggled to build momentum, losing five wickets for 48 runs within nine overs and finishing at 118 for eight after 20 overs. Harsh Thakar top-scored for Canada with 30 runs, while previous match centurion Yuvraj Samra managed only 17. Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi delivered his career-best bowling performance, taking four wickets for just seven runs in four overs. Captain Rashid Khan also claimed two wickets for 19 runs.

Although Afghanistan had already been eliminated from the tournament, the team ended on a high note with two consecutive wins, providing a measure of consolation before returning home.

Afghanistan has announced that it will assist Iran if the United States launches a military attack and Tehran requests help. Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid made the statement on Sunday, February 15, emphasizing that Afghans would show solidarity with Iran. He added that Afghanistan does not support war and prefers peaceful solutions through dialogue.

The spokesperson noted that Iran has recently shown restraint, and Afghanistan hopes no conflict will erupt between Washington and Tehran. The statement comes as instability spreads across the Middle East, with the United States deploying the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and other warships in preparation for a possible strike on Iran. Another carrier is reportedly heading to the region.

Several Middle Eastern countries are attempting to prevent a potential war, fearing that a large-scale conflict would cause severe economic and humanitarian damage across the region.

Afghanistan defeated the United Arab Emirates by five wickets in a T20 World Cup match held in Delhi on February 16, 2026. The match was marked by Rashid Khan’s historic achievement of becoming the first cricketer to claim 700 wickets in T20 cricket. Rashid reached the milestone when he dismissed UAE batter Muhammad Arfan, finishing with one wicket for 24 runs. Afghanistan successfully chased down UAE’s total of 160 for nine, reaching 162 for five in 19.2 overs.

UAE’s innings was anchored by Shoaib Khan’s 68 and Alishan Sharafu’s 40, while Azmatullah Omarzai starred with the ball for Afghanistan, taking four wickets for 15 runs. In reply, Afghanistan lost an early wicket but were steadied by Ibrahim Zadran’s 53 off 41 balls. Omarzai later contributed an unbeaten 40 off 21 balls to secure victory with four balls remaining. Junaid Siddique and Muhammad Arfan took two wickets each for UAE.

Omarzai was named player of the match for his all-round performance, as Afghanistan celebrated both the win and Rashid Khan’s record-breaking feat.

The Taliban government has introduced sweeping reforms in Afghanistan’s pharmaceutical market to improve drug quality and boost domestic production. The move follows a November announcement to end long-standing dependence on medicine imports from Pakistan after deadly border clashes. Importers were given three months to find alternative legal sources, but traders report major challenges in ending old contracts and completing customs procedures.

Pharmacists in Kabul say prices of several medicines have risen while some drugs are unavailable, causing hardship for patients. Transport costs have surged by up to 30 percent as imports shift to routes through Iran and other countries. The Health Ministry cites counterfeit Pakistani medicines as a key reason for the reform and says new supply links are being built with Iran, India, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Turkey, China, and Belarus. Local firms now produce about 600 types of medicines, including antibiotics.

Experts caution that Afghanistan remains dependent on imported raw materials and faces high energy costs and limited infrastructure, making full self-sufficiency unrealistic in the short term. Doctors warn that the transition is complicating treatment and delaying patient care.