Pakistan declares 'open war' on Afghan Taliban after cross-border strikes

On the night of February 21, 2026, Pakistan conducted air and missile strikes on three border provinces in Afghanistan, targeting suspected camps of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Islamic State of Khorasan Province. The Afghan Taliban regime retaliated by hitting Pakistani border posts. In response, Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab Lil-Haq, which translates to Righteous Fury.

“Our patience has now run out. Now it is open war between us,” Pakistan's defense minister said on February 27. The strikes and counter-strikes, though reduced in frequency and magnitude thanks to Chinese mediation efforts, were still occurring into September 2026. TTP attacks inside Pakistan also continued during this period.

The conflict marks a dramatic reversal for the relationship between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, which had been close allies for over 30 years, spanning the Taliban's entire existence. When the Taliban captured Kabul in August 2021, Pakistan celebrated. The breakdown raises questions about the broader reasons behind Pakistan's military strikes and whether the relationship can be salvaged.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The breakdown of the Pakistan-Taliban alliance destabilizes an already volatile border region, threatening security in both countries and beyond.
Continued cross-border strikes risk drawing in other regional powers and exacerbating humanitarian suffering in Afghanistan.
The conflict undermines any prospects for cooperation on counterterrorism and trade in South Asia.

Background

Pakistan was one of the few countries that maintained close ties with the Afghan Taliban after they seized power in 2021. For decades, Islamabad viewed the Taliban as a strategic asset for influence in Afghanistan and a counterweight to India. However, the TTP, a militant group ideologically aligned with the Afghan Taliban but focused on attacking the Pakistani state, found safe haven across the border. As TTP attacks on Pakistani security forces increased, Pakistan's patience eroded, leading to the current confrontation.

Key Perspectives

Pakistan's government and military: They argue that the strikes are necessary to eliminate TTP sanctuaries that the Afghan Taliban has failed to control, and that Islamabad has a right to self-defense under international law. The Afghan Taliban: They view the cross-border strikes as a violation of Afghan sovereignty and have retaliated proportionally. They deny harboring groups that attack Pakistan and accuse Islamabad of exaggerating the TTP threat. Critics and analysts: Some warn that the open conflict could fragment the Taliban internally and push it closer to other regional adversaries of Pakistan. The heavy reliance on Chinese mediation also raises questions about long-term regional stability.

What to Watch

The frequency and intensity of further TTP attacks inside Pakistan and how Islamabad responds.
Whether Chinese mediation leads to a lasting ceasefire or merely pauses hostilities.
Any shift in Afghan Taliban policy towards the TTP, including possible expulsion or disarmament of the group.

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