Afghanistan vows response to Pakistan's cross-border strikes

Tooba Khan, Bloomberg News on Feb 23, 2026

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Afghanistan’s Taliban government said it will respond to Pakistan’s series of cross-border air strikes along the country’s eastern border, renewing tensions between the neighbors that exchanged deadly blows last year.

“Last night, they bombed our civilian compatriots in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, martyring and wounding dozens of people, including women and children,” Zabihullah Mujahid, Afghanistan’s government spokesperson, said in a post on X on Sunday. “At the appropriate time, the necessary and measured response to this action will be given,” according to a statement by Afghan defense ministry posted by Mujahid on X.

The attacks at seven camps allegedly killed more than 80 militants, according to Pakistan’s unidentified security people, who are not authorized to speak with the media.

Tensions have been high ever since Islamabad accused the Taliban of hosting militant groups that plan attacks in Pakistan - an allegation denied by Kabul. The neighboring nations failed to extend a truce brokered by Qatar and Turkey in October last year, despite meeting twice to end cross-border attacks that killed several soldiers on both sides.

Earlier, Pakistan said it conducted intelligence-based operations against militant camps and hideouts along the Afghan border. The strikes targeted militants from the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Islamic State of Khorasan Province, which Pakistan blames for a recent wave of suicide attacks.

Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry has summoned Pakistan’s ambassador in Kabul in response to the strikes, according to a post on X.

“Pakistan expects and reiterates interim Afghan Government to fulfil its obligations and deny use of its soil by Khwarij and terrorists against Pakistan as the safety and security of people of Pakistan comes first and foremost,” the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said in a post on X.