Pakistan targeted ammunition dump in Nangarhar amid rising tensions

WEB DESK: In a marked escalation of cross-border hostilities, Pakistan has launched two coordinated military actions inside Afghanistan, signalling a sharp deterioration in relations between Islamabad and the Afghan Taliban authorities. The first, described by officials as an immediate defensive response, involved targeted airstrikes on what Pakistan termed key Taliban military installations. A senior Pakistani security official confirmed that an initial strike destroyed a major ammunition depot in Nangarhar province allegedly used by Taliban forces following what Islamabad characterised as unprovoked aggression along the frontier.

The second phase, formally titled Operation Ghazab Lil Haq (Wrath of Justice), saw the deployment of assets from the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to conduct precision strikes on additional sites across eastern and southern Afghanistan. According to Pakistani security sources, further targets included an ammunition and logistics facility in Kandahar, a corps headquarters in Paktika, and several battalion and sector headquarters. Officials claimed that more than 130 Taliban personnel were killed and over 200 wounded, with at least 27 posts destroyed, nine captured, and significant quantities of armour and artillery rendered inoperable. These figures, however, could not be independently verified.

Retaliation and rising tensions along the border

Government representatives framed the operations as proportionate and necessary. Prime Minister’s spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi described the action as a “befitting and effective response”, warning that further measures remained possible should hostilities persist. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that Pakistan’s armed forces were on high alert and prepared to expand the scope of operations if required. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated that there would be “no compromise on defence”, underscoring the government’s resolve.

The strikes follow weeks of mounting tension along the Durand Line, including earlier Pakistani operations in Nangarhar and Paktika targeting alleged hideouts linked to Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Kabul has consistently denied harbouring TTP militants and has condemned previous strikes as violations of Afghan sovereignty, alleging civilian casualties and vowing retaliation.

In response to the latest developments, Taliban sources claimed to have initiated retaliatory operations across several sectors of the frontier, asserting that they had inflicted casualties on Pakistani forces and captured positions. Exchanges of fire were reported in Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram and Bajaur, while explosions were heard in parts of Afghanistan, including Kabul.

As of Friday morning, 27 February 2026, the situation remains fluid, with both sides trading accusations and military claims. International observers have urged restraint amid growing concern that continued escalation could precipitate a wider and more destabilising conflict in the region.