Afghan authorities carry out strikes in retaliation for earlier Pakistani airstrikes

Associated Press (AP)CenterEN 4 min read 100% complete by By ABDUL QAHAR AFGHAN and MUNIR AHMEDFebruary 26, 2026 at 05:53 PM

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Following Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan border areas earlier in the week, Afghanistan launched a retaliatory attack on Thursday, claiming to have captured Pakistani army posts along the Durand Line. The Afghan government stated the action was in response to the Pakistani airstrikes and alleged "repeated rebellions" by the Pakistani military. Afghanistan claimed to have captured 17 posts, killed 40 soldiers, and taken some prisoners. Pakistan confirmed clashes were occurring but denied any posts were captured, soldiers killed or captured, and described the Afghan attacks as unprovoked. Pakistan claims to have inflicted heavy losses on the Afghanistan side. The border tensions follow a suicide bombing in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Taliban 40% Shehbaz Sharif 40% Mosharraf Ali Zaidi 40% Bajaur district 40% Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 50% Zabihullah Mujahid ×260% Durand Line ×270% Afghanistan ×990% Pakistan ×1290%

Keywords

pakistan 90% border clashes 90% afghanistan 90% airstrikes 80% retaliation 70% military posts 70% violence 60% durand line 60% unprovoked attacks 50% casualties 50%