Escalating Tensions Between Pakistan and Afghanistan: Operation Ghazab Lil Haq Launched

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have surged, leading to the launch of 'Operation Ghazab Lil Haq' by Islamabad in response to alleged Taliban aggression. The conflict has resulted in conflicting casualty claims, with both sides presenting starkly different narratives. As military operations intensify along the historically contentious Durand Line, concerns grow that localized clashes could escalate into a broader confrontation. This article delves into the details of the ongoing conflict, the responses from both governments, and the implications for regional stability.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 27, 2026, 07:52 IST

Intensifying Confrontation

Recent tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated into one of the most significant confrontations in years. Pakistan has initiated 'Operation Ghazab Lil Haq' in response to what it describes as aggressive actions by Afghan Taliban forces along the Durand Line. According to state broadcaster PTV News, this operation was launched following claims from Kabul that Afghan forces had killed 55 Pakistani soldiers during cross-border strikes. Afghanistan’s Deputy Spokesperson, Hamdullah Fitrat, reported that Taliban units had taken control of 19 Pakistani military outposts and captured a headquarters in Khost province. He stated on X that 'heavy retaliatory offensive operations' were being conducted by the 203 Mansouri Corps and the 201 Khalid bin Walid Corps, claiming that up to 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed, with some bodies recovered and others taken alive. Ongoing operations are reported across Paktia, Paktika, and Nangarhar, including the Torkham Gate crossing.

Disputed Casualty Figures

Conflicting Casualty Claims

Islamabad has firmly disputed Kabul’s casualty figures. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar reported that only two Pakistani soldiers were killed and three injured, while he claimed that 36 Afghan fighters lost their lives in the conflict. He characterized the Afghan claims as inflated and labeled the cross-border actions as 'unprovoked aggression.' Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that the armed forces were executing a 'crushing response' and urged provincial authorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to work closely with the federal government. Tarar later mentioned that 133 individuals had died and over 200 were injured in the broader exchange of fire, without specifying the breakdown between civilian and military casualties. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid defended the Afghan offensive, asserting it was a response to repeated Pakistani airstrikes. Earlier this week, Pakistan confirmed it had conducted airstrikes near the border targeting what it described as militant training camps.

The Durand Line Dispute

Durand Line Flashpoint

The Durand Line, a historically contentious border established during the colonial period, has long been a source of conflict. Pakistan accuses militants based in Afghanistan of launching attacks within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, while Kabul disputes the legitimacy of the border and accuses Islamabad of infringing on Afghan sovereignty. Afghan authorities have claimed that Pakistani airstrikes resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children. Islamabad, however, insists that the strikes targeted armed groups responsible for violence within Pakistan. Reports of heavy shelling and evacuations have emerged near the Torkham border crossing, a vital trade route between the two nations. Additionally, exchanges of fire have been noted near Spin Boldak, raising fears that localized skirmishes could escalate into a larger conflict. With both sides presenting starkly different narratives and casualty reports, diplomatic relations seem to be under significant strain.