Open War on the Afghan-Pakistani Border: Downed Jet and Hundreds of Casualties

Tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban government in Afghanistan have reached a critical point, turning into full-scale warfare. The latest reports from February 28, 2026, indicate the downing of a Pakistani combat aircraft over Afghan territory. Afghan government sources stated that the aircraft's pilot was captured by their armed forces. This is a direct response to Islamabad's massive air campaign, which in recent days has struck key targets deep inside Afghanistan, including the country's capital, Kabul. Pakistan claims that over 300 fighters from Afghan armed forces have been eliminated as a result of precision airstrikes. Authorities in Islamabad have categorically rejected the possibility of dialogue, declaring a state of "open war" with the Taliban regime, marking a drastic shift in relations between the two countries, which have historically maintained complex diplomatic ties. The main cause of the escalation is the accusation that the Taliban are providing sanctuary to the TTP, which regularly carries out terrorist attacks on Pakistani soil. Although the Taliban declared readiness for negotiations after the initial airstrikes, Islamabad deemed that diplomatic patience had run out. The city of Jalalabad has become the target of further explosions, further complicating mediation attempts by neighboring states. The United States has officially supported Pakistan's right to self-defense, drawing criticism from some observers who fear the destabilization of the entire South Asia region. Meanwhile, the European Council has called on both sides to refrain from further military action, pointing to the risk of a humanitarian disaster. The border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, known as the Durand Line, was drawn in 1893 by the British and has never been fully accepted by governments in Kabul, which for decades has been a source of border conflicts and ethnic divisions among the Pashtuns. The current operational situation indicates an intensification of border clashes, with both sides amassing significant forces in key sectors. Pakistan, possessing modern air power and logistical support from major powers, aims to destroy TTP bases, while the Afghan Taliban are using difficult terrain and captured weapons for guerrilla warfare and air defense. This escalation comes at a time when the international community had hoped for stabilization in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of Western coalition forces in 2021. However, the current turn of events suggests the region is entering a new, bloody phase of destabilization, the effects of which could extend far beyond the borders of the two involved nations. „This is no longer a counter-terrorism operation; this is open war against those who provide sanctuary to Pakistan's enemies.” — Spokesperson for Islamabad