Cross-border strikes deepen conflict along frontier
KABUL, Feb 28 — Fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban forces entered a third day on Saturday after overnight exchanges of fire, raising fears of a prolonged conflict along their 2,600-km border.
Pakistani strikes on Friday targeted Taliban military installations and posts, including sites in Kabul and Kandahar, marking one of the deepest incursions into Afghanistan in years, officials said. Islamabad accused the Taliban of harboring Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan militants who wage attacks inside Pakistan, a charge Kabul denies.
Pakistan described its actions as retaliation for cross-border assaults. In contrast, the Taliban condemned the strikes as a violation of sovereignty while signaling openness to dialogue and warning of serious consequences if hostilities expand.
International calls for de-escalation intensify
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts accelerated. Afghanistan’s foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi discussed easing tensions with Saudi Arabia’s Prince Faisal bin Farhan. The European Union and the United Nations urged both sides to de-escalate immediately, while Russia and China called for restraint and offered support for dialogue.
The United States backed Pakistan’s right to defend itself against Taliban attacks, with a U.S. official saying Washington did not view Islamabad as the aggressor.
Along the border, clashes continued overnight. Pakistani sources said Operation Ghazab Lil Haq destroyed multiple Taliban posts, though Reuters could not verify the claims. Casualty figures remain disputed. Pakistan reported 12 soldiers and 274 Taliban fighters killed, while the Taliban claimed 13 of its fighters and 55 Pakistani troops died. Taliban officials also alleged civilian casualties in Khost and Paktika.
Pakistan’s defense minister called the conflict “open war,” while Taliban leaders warned it would prove costly, underscoring the risk of further escalation.
