Pakistan Warns ‘No One Will Be Beyond Reach’ as Tensions Escalate Into Open Conflict With Afghanistan

New Delhi | 27 Feb 2026 Pakistan has issued a strong warning after carrying out what it described as retaliatory military strikes against Afghanistan, marking a sharp escalation in tensions between the two neighbouring countries. The operation, named Operation ‘Ghazab lil-Haq’, was launched in the early hours of Friday following what Pakistan termed “unprovoked firing” from across the border. According to Pakistani officials, Afghan Taliban forces opened fire on several locations along the border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday evening. The affected areas included the Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram and Bajaur sectors. In response, Pakistan said its armed forces conducted targeted strikes against Taliban positions inside Afghan territory. Pakistan’s President, Asif Ali Zardari, said the country would not tolerate any threat to its security or borders. In a message shared on X from the official account of the President of Pakistan, Zardari stated: “Pakistan will not compromise on peace & territorial integrity. Our armed forces' response is comprehensive & decisive. Those who mistake our peace for weakness will face a strong response — and no one will be beyond reach.” News channels reported that Pakistan’s armed forces carried out airstrikes on what they described as key Afghan Taliban military installations in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia. The Pakistan Air Force also reportedly destroyed an ammunition depot in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province. Pakistani sources claimed that more than 130 Taliban fighters were killed during the operation. Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, confirmed that the situation had now escalated into an “open war.” He said the military action was a firm response to continued aggression by the Afghan Taliban. Asif added that after the withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan, Pakistan had hoped the region would move towards peace. He said Pakistan had made repeated efforts to maintain normal relations with Kabul, both directly and through friendly countries. Referring to Pakistan’s past role, Asif highlighted the hosting of millions of Afghan refugees and described Islamabad’s approach as “positive.” However, he stressed that Pakistan’s patience had run out, adding that the armed forces had now delivered a “decisive response.” For years, Islamabad has accused the Afghan Taliban of sheltering militant groups responsible for attacks inside Pakistan, particularly the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, which has waged a long-running insurgency. Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities have rejected these allegations and, in turn, accused Pakistan of hosting groups that target Afghan territory and undermine its sovereignty. Pakistan has also accused India of supporting anti-Pakistan militant elements operating from Afghan soil and attempting to destabilise the region. New Delhi has firmly denied these claims, calling them “baseless” and “politically motivated,” and has said Pakistan frequently blames India for its internal security challenges. Reacting to the latest clashes, India said on February 22 that it “strongly condemns Pakistan’s airstrikes on Afghan territory that have resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children, during the holy month of Ramadan.” The Ministry of External Affairs added that this was yet another attempt by Pakistan to divert attention from its internal issues and reiterated India’s support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence. Pakistan Says ‘No One Will Be Beyond Reach’ as Border Tensions With Afghanistan Turn Into Open Conflict Pakistan has sharply escalated tensions with Afghanistan after launching retaliatory strikes under Operation ‘Ghazab lil-Haq’ in the early hours of Friday. The military action followed what Islamabad described as “unprovoked firing” by Afghan Taliban forces on multiple border areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Chitral, Bajaur and Kurram. Pakistani officials said the strikes were aimed at militant positions across the border. President Asif Ali Zardari issued a strong warning, stating: “Pakistan will not compromise on peace & territorial integrity. Our armed forces' response is comprehensive & decisive. Those who mistake our peace for weakness will face a strong response — and no one will be beyond reach.” State media reported that Pakistan carried out airstrikes on Taliban military installations in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia, while an ammunition depot in Nangarhar was also targeted. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed that the situation had now escalated into an “open war.” He said Pakistan had made sustained efforts to maintain peace even after the withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan, but continued aggression left Islamabad with no choice but to respond militarily. He added that Pakistan’s patience had been exhausted after years of restraint. Meanwhile, India condemned Pakistan’s airstrikes, saying it “strongly condemns Pakistan’s airstrikes on Afghan territory that have resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children, during the holy month of Ramadan.” New Delhi also rejected Pakistan’s allegations linking India to regional instability, calling them “baseless,” and reiterated its support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.