Pakistan’s ministry of information portrayed the operation as a success, claiming nearly 70 militants were killed in strikes on TTP and ISIS-K hideouts.

In a dramatic escalation of longstanding tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, Pakistani fighter jets launched airstrikes deep into eastern Afghanistan late on February 21, 2026, targeting alleged militant hideouts. The operation, which Pakistan defends as a necessary act of self-defence against cross-border terrorism, has drawn sharp condemnation from the Taliban-led Afghan government, which accuses its neighbour of violating sovereignty and killing innocent civilians. As diplomatic fallout intensifies, Afghanistan has lodged a formal complaint with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), raising fears of further military confrontation in an already volatile region.

The strikes come amid a surge in militant attacks inside Pakistan, including suicide bombings on a Shiite mosque in Islamabad and assaults in Bajaur and Bannu districts during the holy month of Ramadan. Pakistani officials claim these were orchestrated by groups like the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Islamic State’s Khorasan branch (ISIS-K), which they allege operate from safe havens in Afghanistan. In response, Pakistan’s military conducted what it described as “intelligence-based operations” to neutralize these threats, marking the latest chapter in a cycle of accusations and retaliatory actions that have plagued bilateral relations since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.

Details of the Midnight Assault

The airstrikes unfolded around midnight on February 21-22, 2026, striking multiple districts in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar and Paktika provinces. Pakistani jets reportedly hit targets in Khogyani, Ghani Khil, and Behsud districts of Nangarhar, as well as Barmal district in Paktika. These areas, bordering Pakistan’s restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, have long been hotspots for militant activity, with porous borders facilitating cross-border movements.

Pakistan’s ministry of information portrayed the operation as a success, claiming nearly 70 militants were killed in strikes on TTP and ISIS-K hideouts. State media later inflated the figure to 80, emphasizing the precision of the attacks to avoid civilian casualties. Deputy Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry stated, “Dozens of militants were killed in the strikes,” while army spokesperson Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry insisted, “The Pakistani military does not target civilian populations and that the operations are carried out with extreme precision.”

In stark contrast, Afghan authorities reported devastating civilian losses. The Taliban’s defence ministry claimed more than 20 civilians, including women and children, perished in Behsud district alone, with strikes allegedly hitting a madrassa and residential homes. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid echoed this on social media, decrying the attacks as indiscriminate and aimed at civilian and religious sites. Local residents in the affected areas described scenes of chaos, with families fleeing amid the roar of jets and explosions that lit up the night sky. Independent verification of casualties remains challenging due to restricted access in these remote, Taliban-controlled regions, but humanitarian groups have voiced concerns over potential violations of international law.

Diplomatic Backlash and Threats of Retaliation

The Afghan response was swift and uncompromising. Kabul summoned Pakistan’s ambassador to lodge a formal protest, with the ministry of foreign affairs warning that “Protecting Afghanistan’s sovereignty is a fundamental responsibility of the Islamic Emirate, and the Pakistani side will bear responsibility for the consequences of such actions.” The Taliban’s defense ministry labelled the strikes as “repeated acts of aggression” and vowed a “calculated response at an appropriate time,” accusing Pakistan of using the attacks to deflect from its own internal security failures.

On the Pakistani side, President Asif Ali Zardari staunchly defended the operation, declaring it Pakistan’s “right” in self-defence. Citing a recent UNSC report on regional terrorism, he asserted, “Those responsible for bloodshed inside Pakistan will not remain beyond reach.” Officials in Islamabad have kept “all options” open, signalling readiness for further actions if militant threats persist. This rhetoric underscores Pakistan’s frustration with what it perceives as the Taliban’s unwillingness or inability to rein in groups like TTP, which have ramped up attacks since the Afghan Taliban’s takeover.

Adding a layer of complexity, internal Afghan divisions have surfaced. The National Resistance Front (NRF), an anti-Taliban group led by figures like Fazal Ahmad Manawi, welcomed the strikes. Manawi stated, “Every action in the interest of the Afghan people should be welcomed,” describing the Taliban as a “cruel group” and expressing hope for improved regional relations. This support from opposition elements highlights the fractured political landscape in Afghanistan, where external interventions can exacerbate infighting.

Escalation to the United Nations

In a bid to internationalize the dispute, Afghanistan’s Permanent Mission to the UN, led by chargé d’affaires Naseer Faiq, filed a complaint with the UNSC on February 22, 2026. Faiq condemned the airstrikes as a “serious violation” that resulted in “the tragic loss of civilian lives, including women and children.” He urged the council for an immediate halt to such actions, an impartial investigation, and adherence to the UN Charter respecting territorial integrity.

The UNSC has yet to respond formally, but the complaint could draw global scrutiny to the fragile Pakistan-Afghanistan border dynamics. Analysts warn that without mediation, the incident risks spiralling into broader conflict, potentially involving other regional players  who have their own stakes in Afghan stability.

Long-Term Implications for Regional Security

This latest flare-up is symptomatic of deeper issues: mutual distrust, unresolved border disputes, and the enduring legacy of the US-led war in Afghanistan. Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Taliban of harbouring militants, while Kabul counters that Islamabad’s policies have fuelled instability. The strikes also occur against a backdrop of economic woes in both nations, with Pakistan grappling with inflation and Afghanistan facing humanitarian crises under international sanctions.

With the Taliban’s promise of retaliation hanging in the air, the region braces for uncertainty. As one Islamabad-based analyst noted, “These airstrikes might eliminate a few militants, but they sow seeds for more resentment and cycles of violence.”