Afghanistan carried out attacks on several Pakistani army camps on Friday, according to the Afghan Ministry of Defense. The strikes took place around 11 a.m. local time and targeted multiple military sites inside Pakistan. The ministry reported that drone strikes were conducted on a military camp near Islamabad’s Faizabad, a headquarters in Nowshera, and additional locations in Jamrud and Abbottabad. The operation was described as successfully executed.

Afghan Army Chief Fasihuddin Fitrat stated that any attack from Pakistan would face a strong response. He pledged to safeguard Afghanistan’s territorial integrity and warned that if further attacks occur, major Pakistani cities, including Islamabad, would be targeted. Fitrat assured the Afghan people that all acts of aggression would be answered.

Reports citing sources indicated that tanks and both light and heavy weapons have been prepared for any potential conflict between the two neighboring countries.

The United States has expressed support for Pakistan’s right to self-defense against attacks by the Taliban. In a statement issued on Friday, the U.S. State Department said it recognizes Pakistan’s right to defend itself from Taliban aggression. A spokesperson confirmed the position in an emailed statement, while U.S. diplomat Allison Hooker stated on X that she had spoken with Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Aamna Baloch regarding the situation. Washington also conveyed sympathy over the ongoing clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Amid the escalating conflict, Iran urged both neighboring countries to exercise restraint. In a statement released on Friday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry called on Pakistan and Afghanistan to respect each other’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty. Tehran also advised both sides to avoid actions that could further increase regional tension and conflict.

The statements from Washington and Tehran highlight growing international concern over the deteriorating security situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and its potential impact on regional stability.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an immediate ceasefire to end the ongoing violence between Pakistan and Afghanistan. His spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, said on Friday that the Secretary-General expressed deep concern over the rising hostilities between the two neighboring countries, emphasizing that the conflict is directly affecting civilians.

According to the statement, Guterres stressed the urgent need to implement a ceasefire and to resolve differences through diplomatic dialogue. The appeal comes as tensions continue to escalate, with reports of cross-border violence impacting communities along the frontier.

The UN chief’s call highlights the organization’s concern over regional stability and humanitarian consequences, urging both sides to prioritize peace and civilian protection.

U.S. President Donald Trump praised Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir, describing the country as doing “exceptionally well.” Speaking to reporters on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on Friday, Trump said Pakistan has a great prime minister and a great general, calling both strong leaders whom he respects deeply.

When asked about possible U.S. intervention in the conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Trump said he might consider it but emphasized his very good relationship with Pakistan. His remarks highlighted a tone of appreciation toward Pakistan’s current leadership and suggested a positive diplomatic stance.

The comments were reported by Al Jazeera and reflect Trump’s continuing engagement with South Asian affairs, particularly regarding Pakistan’s political and military leadership.

Pakistan has claimed that its military operations resulted in the deaths of 297 Afghan soldiers. According to a spokesperson for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the operations also destroyed 89 Afghan military posts and 135 tanks and armored vehicles. The attacks reportedly took place across 29 locations in Afghanistan.

The claim was reported by Qatar-based media outlet Al Jazeera, citing Afghanistan’s Tolo News. Earlier, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) had stated that 274 Afghan soldiers were killed, indicating a revised figure in the latest statement. The report did not include any response from Afghan authorities or independent verification of the claims.

The development underscores continuing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, though the source did not specify the timing or broader context of the operations.

Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry announced that 12 soldiers have been killed and 27 others injured in recent military operations. He shared the information during a press conference held in Islamabad on Friday, according to a report by Al Jazeera.

Chaudhry stated that the army continues its operations amid the current security situation and that the injured personnel are receiving medical treatment. The ISPR did not disclose further details about the nature or location of the operations.

The announcement highlights the ongoing security challenges faced by Pakistan’s armed forces, though no additional information on the broader context or timeline of the operations was provided in the briefing.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the country’s army to respond to any form of aggression against the nation. He issued the order during a visit to the Pakistan Army’s General Headquarters on Friday afternoon, where military officials briefed him on the ongoing situation with Afghanistan. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Sharif instructed the army to adopt a ‘zero tolerance’ policy toward any hostile acts targeting Pakistan.

Sharif stated that actions by the Afghan Taliban administration or by the group known as Fitna al-Kharij (the official name of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP) are unacceptable. He affirmed that under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan’s armed forces are ready to defend the country and know how to protect themselves against aggression.

The statement also noted that Sharif praised the military for repelling Taliban attacks in border areas and conducting strong counteroffensives. He added that the entire nation stands in solidarity with the armed forces.

Pakistan’s defense minister has declared a ‘direct war’ against Afghanistan following airstrikes carried out by the Pakistani military in Kabul and two other provinces. The announcement marks a sharp escalation in hostilities between the two neighboring countries.

Afghanistan affairs expert Amin Saikal told BBC’s Newsday program that this represents a very serious development, indicating Islamabad’s intent to punish the Afghan Taliban for allegedly supporting armed groups behind recent attacks in Pakistan. Saikal, founder of the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies at the Australian National University, noted that both sides have long been at odds, but Pakistan’s latest move shows it is striking harder in response to Taliban support for Pakistani militants.

Saikal, author of “Modern Afghanistan,” warned that the rising tension could be disastrous for the Afghan people, who are already struggling with severe economic hardship.

Pakistan’s military said it has killed 274 Taliban and other armed group members in Afghanistan under an operation named “Ghazab-lil-Haq.” The announcement came from Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), during a press briefing on Friday. He stated that Pakistan’s forces destroyed 73 Taliban military posts, captured 18, and destroyed 115 tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery weapons.

The operation followed a deadly cross-border attack late Thursday night, when Afghan forces reportedly killed at least 55 Pakistani soldiers and captured several others at a post near the Durand Line in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the attack was in retaliation for Pakistan’s February 21 airstrikes in Nangarhar and Paktia provinces, which killed more than 80 people.

Pakistan launched its counteroffensive at 3:45 a.m. Friday, conducting extensive airstrikes in Kabul, Paktia, and Kandahar as part of the ongoing operation.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a phone conversation with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty to discuss the regional situation amid ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. According to Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, the discussion focused on recent regional developments, particularly the state of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations.

During the call, Ishaq Dar stated that Pakistan’s response to what he described as unprovoked aggression was measured but firm. He highlighted that under “Operation Ghazab Lil Haq,” Pakistan’s armed forces had carried out a successful operation to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The ministry’s statement added that both leaders emphasized the importance of regional peace and stability and agreed to maintain communication as the situation evolves.

The continued diplomatic engagement between Islamabad and Cairo is being viewed as part of efforts to manage and contain the current tensions in the region.

Pakistan launched airstrikes early Friday on Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktika in Afghanistan, prompting retaliatory attacks by the Taliban. Islamabad declared it was now in an 'open war' with Afghanistan’s Taliban government, while Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Afghan forces were conducting large-scale operations along the Durand Line in response to earlier Pakistani airstrikes.

The United Nations expressed deep concern over escalating violence and urged both sides to uphold international law and protect civilians. Iran offered to mediate, reaffirming its support for dialogue between Kabul and Islamabad. Russia called for an end to cross-border attacks and emphasized diplomatic solutions. India condemned Pakistan’s airstrikes, while Turkey, Qatar, China, and the United Kingdom all pressed for de-escalation and dialogue. Pakistan’s defense minister blamed the Taliban for instability, asserting that the country’s patience had run out. Former Afghan president Hamid Karzai vowed national unity in defending Afghanistan.

The continued fighting and international appeals highlight fears of a broader regional crisis if hostilities persist without diplomatic resolution.

Pakistan has claimed that its airstrikes in Afghanistan, following a declaration of war against the country, have killed at least 228 Afghan soldiers and injured 314 others. The Pakistani military spokesperson said that 74 Afghan border posts were destroyed and 18 others captured during the operations.

The Taliban government in Afghanistan, however, reported a significantly lower toll, stating that eight of its soldiers were killed and 11 wounded in the attacks. According to Al Jazeera journalist Kamal Hyder reporting from Peshawar, heavy clashes continued along the border on Friday afternoon, with Pakistan conducting air raids while attacks were also coming from inside Afghanistan.

Both sides have reportedly suffered heavy losses, and the situation remains tense. Pakistan has announced that it will continue retaliatory strikes, signaling a possible escalation of the conflict.

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said that the Afghan Taliban made a grave mistake by attacking Pakistan. In a post shared by the Interior Ministry on social media platform X, Naqvi condemned the targeting of civilians and stated that Pakistan’s armed forces had given an appropriate response to what he called an open act of aggression. He described the attackers as cowardly enemies who struck under the cover of darkness and vowed that Pakistan would not allow its national security to be compromised.

According to the report, the attack took place on Thursday, February 26, when Afghan forces targeted Pakistani military positions along the border. Afghan officials confirmed that several Pakistani soldiers were killed in the assault. In retaliation, Pakistan launched an operation named “Operation Ghazab Lil Haq,” during which airstrikes by the Pakistan Air Force reportedly killed at least 133 Afghan soldiers and injured around 200 others.

The escalating border violence marks a sharp deterioration in relations between the two neighboring countries, with both sides reporting casualties and accusing each other of aggression.

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have sharply intensified along the border, with Pakistani security sources claiming that the Pakistan Air Force carried out airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, destroying a major ammunition depot. A Pakistani government official said the strikes were in response to what Islamabad described as ‘provocative attacks’ from the Afghan side, resulting in the deaths of 133 Taliban government members and injuries to more than 200 others, according to Geo News.

Security sources said Pakistan launched ‘Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq’ after alleged border violations by Taliban forces. Mosharraf Zaidi, spokesperson for the Pakistani Prime Minister’s Office on foreign media, stated that 72 Taliban fighters were killed and over 120 injured, with 16 Taliban posts destroyed and seven captured. He added that Pakistan’s positions remained intact and no Pakistani soldiers were killed or captured. Zaidi accused ‘Indian proxies’ of spreading misinformation about Pakistani losses.

The report noted that cross-border clashes and airstrikes have occurred repeatedly in recent months. Pakistan has accused militants of using Afghan territory to launch attacks, a claim the Taliban government denies. The escalating conflict has raised fresh concerns over regional security.

Afghanistan launched an attack targeting Pakistani military positions along the border, killing several Pakistani soldiers, according to Afghan officials. The assault took place on Thursday and was described as a response to recent Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar and Paktia provinces. Pakistan’s Ministry of Information stated on X that Afghan forces opened fire without provocation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and warned that a swift and effective response would follow.

An Afghan military corps media office reported that intense fighting began late Thursday night, describing it as retaliation for Pakistan’s recent air operations. Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said on X that Afghan forces carried out large-scale attacks on multiple Pakistani military positions along the Durand Line, claiming to have killed numerous soldiers, captured several others, and seized 15 outposts.

The cross-border violence follows Pakistan’s earlier strikes on Sunday that, according to the UN mission in Afghanistan, killed 13 civilians. Islamabad claimed those strikes killed 80 armed fighters, while Kabul said 18 people were killed, underscoring the conflicting narratives and rising tensions between the two neighbors.