Pakistan blames suicide bombing in Islamabad’s Shia mosque in February 2026 (which killed more than 36 people) for current situation.
SNPNEWS.IN News (Gurmail Kamboj): Border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been ongoing since October 2025. Pakistan has blamed the Afghanistan-based TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) for terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan. Meanwhile, Pakistan has intensified its campaign to deport illegal Afghan refugees, leading to the forcible return of millions of Afghans, which the Taliban has termed “humiliating and inhumane”. This has increased tensions between the two countries.
Violent clashes broke out at several places in October over fencing being installed by Pak on the border (Durand Line). The Afghan Taliban tore down the fence, after which both countries targeted each other’s military/civilian positions, killing hundreds of civilians and soldiers. Due to this tension, both countries summoned each other’s ambassadors and repeatedly closed trade routes. A ceasefire was reached with the help of Qatar and Turkey, but both countries failed to implement its terms, which has led to a war-like situation between the two countries.
Read it : Pakistan declares open war against Afghanistan
In late December 2025 and early January 2026, small-scale firing incidents began between the two armies over fencing and construction of posts on the Durand Line (border). Adding fuel to the fire was the suicide bombing of a Shia mosque in Islamabad on 6 February 2026 (which killed more than 36 people), which is considered to be the beginning of the current war. Pak claimed that the attack was planned in Afghanistan.
The Pak Air Force carried out airstrikes in Nangarhar, Paktika and Khost provinces of Afghanistan on (21–22 February) in retaliation for the 6 February incident, in which 274 terrorists were killed according to Pak, while Afghanistan described it as an attack on civilians.
On 26 February 2026, the Afghan Taliban attacked Pakistani border posts in response to Pakistani airstrikes. This operation is being conducted under the supervision of the Taliban’s Chief of Army Staff, Qari Fasihuddin Fitrat.
The Taliban claimed to have captured more than a dozen Pakistani military posts and two military bases. The Afghan Taliban used drones for the first time to target military installations in Pak’s interior, such as Nowshera, Abbottabad and Swat. According to Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed during the operation and some were captured alive and taken prisoner.
On 27 February 2026, Pak’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif officially launched Operation Ghazab Lil Haq, declaring “open war” against Afghanistan. He said that this step was necessary to protect Pakistan’s territorial integrity. The Pakistan Army has imposed curfew in areas along the border and sent additional military reinforcements.
Torkham and Chaman: These two most important border crossings have been completely sealed, resulting in thousands of trucks laden with goods being stranded at the border. Perishables like fruits and vegetables are being destroyed, causing losses worth crores of rupees.
People from Pakistani villages located near the border (such as Kurram and Waziristan) are being forced to leave their homes and move to safer places. There are reports of civilian casualties on both sides of the border, as shells are also falling in residential areas. This evening The border is on “high alert” until 10:00 a.m. Pakistan Air Force aircraft are constantly patrolling the border areas. The Afghan side has also deployed its most experienced fighters to the border.
China has urged both countries to exercise restraint and has offered to mediate to calm the situation. Qatar, which brokered a ceasefire last year, is again trying to resolve the crisis.