Escalating Tensions: Pakistan's Airstrikes on Afghanistan Spark Outrage

Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have reached a boiling point following a series of airstrikes by Pakistani forces on Afghan territory. The attacks, which began early Sunday morning, have resulted in numerous casualties, including deaths and injuries among Afghan returnees. As military confrontations escalate, Afghan forces have also reported shooting down a Pakistani fighter jet. This ongoing conflict raises serious concerns about regional stability and the safety of civilians caught in the crossfire. Read on for a detailed account of the events unfolding in this volatile situation.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 1, 2026, 10:22 IST

Airstrikes Rock Kabul

Kabul: The capital city of Afghanistan, Kabul, experienced a significant attack from Pakistani air forces early Sunday morning at approximately 5:40 a.m. local time. This assault resulted in multiple explosions and prompted a defensive response from Afghan air defense units against the aerial threats.

The airstrikes persisted for around 20 minutes. Recently, military confrontations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have intensified, with numerous exchanges of gunfire reported, according to sources.

On Saturday, the Afghan government's deputy spokesman, Hamdullah Fitrat, reported that three Afghan returnees were killed and seven others injured when Pakistani forces targeted a temporary camp for returnees located in Kandahar province.

Pakistani military operations commenced with airstrikes and bombardments on the returnee camp at 8:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, as stated by Fitrat on his social media account.

In another incident, an Afghan official reported that a drone, allegedly dispatched by Pakistan to conduct an attack, crashed in Khost province on Saturday.

Fitrat also noted that since the previous Sunday, at least 52 individuals have died and 66 have been injured due to Pakistani airstrikes across Afghanistan.

The casualties were recorded in several eastern provinces, including Nangarhar, Paktika, Khost, Kunar, and the southern region of Kandahar.

Additionally, Afghan forces successfully shot down a Pakistani fighter jet in Nangarhar province on Saturday, capturing its pilot alive, as confirmed by provincial police chief Mohibullah Hamas.

The aircraft was downed in Jalalabad, the provincial capital, and the pilot, who ejected via parachute, was subsequently apprehended, according to officials.

Sayed Tayeb Hemad, a spokesman for the Nangarhar provincial police, verified that the captured pilot is currently in police custody.