Pakistan–Afghanistan Tensions Escalate as Airstrikes, Drone Attacks Intensify

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan deepened sharply over the weekend, with both sides exchanging air, missile and drone strikes along their volatile 2,600-kilometre frontier, raising fears of a broader conflict.

Reports emerged on Saturday that a Pakistani fighter jet had crashed in Jalalabad, with Afghan forces claiming to have captured the pilot. The incident followed loud explosions near the city’s airport, reportedly preceded by the sound of an aircraft overhead. Pakistan, however, rejected the claim, describing reports of a downed jet as “totally untrue.”

Escalation Across the Border

The latest surge in hostilities began after Pakistan conducted airstrikes inside Afghan territory last weekend. Afghan forces responded with drone strikes late Thursday targeting Pakistani military installations in the northwest border region.

The Taliban administration in Kabul said Pakistani strikes hit areas in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia on Thursday night, expanding to Paktika, Khost and Laghman on Friday. In Kabul, thick black smoke was seen rising from at least two locations, with video footage showing a significant blaze. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed civilian casualties but did not provide specific figures.

Pakistan described its campaign, dubbed “Operation Ghazab lil Haq,” as a series of air-to-ground missile strikes targeting Taliban military offices and border posts. Security sources indicated that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) struck Taliban positions in Nangarhar province while ground forces reportedly destroyed multiple border posts.

In response, Taliban-led forces launched drone attacks under “Operation Rad al-Zulm,” targeting Pakistani military camps in Miranshah and Spinwam, according to Afghan security sources. Taliban fighters also attacked several border checkpoints, describing the actions as retaliation for earlier Pakistani raids.

Casualty Claims and Conflicting Narratives

Pakistani officials claimed that 274 Taliban fighters and officials were killed in the latest strikes. Afghanistan, in turn, said it had killed 55 Pakistani soldiers. Islamabad confirmed 12 of its soldiers had died, while Kabul acknowledged the loss of 13 Taliban fighters. These figures could not be independently verified.

The strikes mark the first time Pakistan has directly targeted Afghanistan’s ruling establishment in Kabul over longstanding allegations that it shelters militants seeking to destabilise Islamabad — accusations the Taliban leadership has consistently denied.

Diplomatic Signals and U.S. Response

Amid the escalating violence, Taliban authorities signalled on Friday that they were open to dialogue. However, cross-border operations continued overnight.

The United States expressed support for Pakistan’s right to self-defence. Allison Hooker, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, said Washington was closely monitoring developments following talks with Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch.

“The Taliban have consistently failed to uphold their counterterrorism commitments, allowing violence to destabilize the region while terrorist groups use Afghanistan as a launching pad,” she said.

U.S. President Donald Trump also commented on the situation, praising Pakistan’s leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir. “You have a great prime minister, you have a great general there, you have a great leader,” Trump told reporters, adding that Pakistan was “doing terrifically well.”

International Calls for De-escalation

International reaction has been swift, with several global actors urging restraint. Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, called on both sides to step back from further escalation.

“The EU reiterates that Afghan territory must not be used to threaten or attack other countries and calls on the Afghan de facto authorities to take effective action against all terrorist groups operating in or from Afghanistan,” she said.

The United Kingdom has called for de-escalation, China has urged an immediate ceasefire, and Iran has offered to mediate between the two countries.

With both militaries continuing cross-border operations and diplomatic channels yet to yield tangible progress, the confrontation threatens to destabilise an already fragile region.