Pakistan-Afghanistan border clashes enter day three as deeper strikes fuel urgent diplomacy

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published February 28, 2026

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Along a roughly 2,600-kilometre frontier, fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban-led forces moved into a third day, with growing concern that the border clashes could widen after Pakistani statements warned the situation could slide toward an "open war".

Pakistan says it has carried out deeper strikes inside Afghan territory against Taliban military targets. Reports said the strikes reached areas including Kabul and Kandahar, marking one of Pakistan’s deepest incursions in years.

At the core of the dispute, Islamabad accuses the Taliban of sheltering Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants that it says conduct cross-border attacks. Kabul rejects the allegation, calls the strikes a breach of sovereignty, and warns of consequences if the fighting expands.

Both sides have issued conflicting casualty claims that have not been independently verified, while reports also pointed to damage in border areas and civilian harm.

Diplomatic contacts and mediation efforts have accelerated, with multiple international actors including Saudi Arabia, the European Union, Russia, China, and the United States urging de-escalation and a return to dialogue.