Afghan Taliban seeks ‘dialogue’ as Pakistan bombs Kabul, other cities

28 FEBRUARY 2026

Pakistan attacks Afghanistan

Pakistan bombed major cities in Afghanistan including the capital Kabul, with Islamabad’s Defence Minister declaring the neighbours at “open war” following months of tit-for-tat clashes.
The overnight operation was Pakistan’s most widespread bombardment of the Afghan capital and its first air strikes on the southern power base of the Taliban authorities since they returned to power in 2021.
Pakistan’s latest operation came after Afghan forces attacked Pakistani border troops in retaliation for earlier air strikes by Islamabad.

Earlier clashes

Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Afghan forces killed 55 Pakistani soldiers and captured several others, while putting the death toll among Afghan troops at 13.
The sharp surge in hostilities drew international concern, with China, Britain and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) calling for immediate de-escalation and return to dialogue.
Relations between the neighbours have plunged in recent months, with land border crossings largely shut since deadly fighting in October 2025 that killed more than 70 people on both sides.

Militant groups attack Pakistan from Afghanistan

Islamabad accuses Afghanistan of failing to act against militant groups that carry out attacks in Pakistan, which the Taliban government denies.
Most of the attacks have been claimed by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group that has stepped up assaults in Pakistan since the Afghan Taliban returned to power.

Ceasefire efforts

Several rounds of negotiations between Islamabad and Kabul followed an initial ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Turkey, but the efforts have failed to produce a lasting agreement.
After repeated breaches of the initial truce, Saudi Arabia intervened in February 2026, mediating the release of three Pakistani soldiers captured by Afghanistan in October 2025.
Iran, which shares border with Afghanistan and Pakistan, offered to help “facilitate dialogue”, while the Saudi Foreign Minister spoke with his Pakistani counterpart and China said it was “working with” both countries while calling for calm.