In late February 2026, Pakistan announced a state of “open war” with Afghanistan following an unprecedented exchange of cross‑border attacks.
“Pakistan has launched dozens of airstrikes on Afghanistan’s two largest cities and in border areas,” The New York Times newspaper reported. Pakistan dubbed the operations Ghazab Lil-Haq, or Fury in the Name of Justice.
Pakistan’s Armed Forces initially struck several terrorist facilities and infrastructure in Afghanistan earlier in February, after several years of escalating cross-border attacks by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Islamic State-Khorasan Province terrorists based in Afghanistan.
In response to the strikes, drone and rocket attacks began against Pakistani military targets, which prompted Islamabad to carry out airstrikes on Afghan territory. This second wave of attacks “pummeled Afghan military infrastructure,” according to The New York Times, in addition to hitting the terrorist groups.
Pakistan said it destroyed hundreds of tanks, armored vehicles and artillery, and killed hundreds of terrorists, in addition to destroying tunnels and other terrorist infrastructure.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Defence ordered the initial airstrikes after negotiations, sponsored by Qatar and Türkiye, failed to convince Afghanistan’s Taliban government to rein in terrorist groups operating from its territory.
Among the biggest terrorist attacks in Pakistan was the February 6, 2026, suicide bombing of a mosque in Islamabad that killed more than 30 and injured more than 160. U.S. Chargé d’Affairés Natalie Baker condemned the attack.
“The people of Pakistan deserve safety, dignity and the ability to practice their faith without fear,” Baker said. “The United States continues to support Pakistan’s efforts to advance peace and security and remains committed to our partnership aimed at promoting stability.”
Sources: Center for Strategic and International Studies, The Associated Press, The New York Times, The News International