Afghanistan Pakistan airstrikes 2026: Kabul’s Ministry of Defence confirms retaliatory strikes on Pakistan’s Nur Khan Airbase and Quetta HQ. Following Islamabad’s “open war” declaration, the Taliban claims 32 Pakistani fatalities in a major military escalation. Read the latest on the 203 Mansouri Corps offensive.
Kabul, Mar 2: Ministry of Defence of Afghanistan on Monday announced that their Air Force carried out precise and coordinated airstrikes on several Pakistani military sites. As a result, tensions between the two neighbouring countries have sharply intensified.
In a statement posted on X, the ministry said it targeted major Pakistani military facilities. Specifically, the strikes hit the Nur Khan Airbase near Rawalpindi.
They also struck the 12th Division headquarters in Quetta and the Khwazai Camp in the Mohmand Agency of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In addition, Afghan forces targeted several other key command centres across Pakistan.
According to preliminary assessments, the strikes caused significant damage to the intended targets.
Notably, the Nur Khan Airbase had previously come under attack during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. That strike damaged parts of the base. Subsequently, authorities carried out repair and restoration work.
Meanwhile, the ministry said it launched the operation in response to recent Pakistani air raids on Kabul and Bagram.
Furthermore, the ministry warned Pakistan against further action. It said any new violation of Afghan airspace or act of aggression would invite a swift, decisive, and proportionate response.
Earlier, Islamabad declared what it called “open war” on the Afghan Taliban administration after renewed cross-border clashes.
Soon after, Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Kabul and Kandahar. This came hours after Afghan forces reportedly attacked Pakistani border troops in retaliation for earlier strikes.
Once again, the Afghan ministry repeated its warning. It stressed that any additional aggression would trigger a firm counterattack.
In a further escalation, the Taliban claimed it killed 32 Pakistani soldiers in overnight retaliatory operations, reported TOLOnews.
The ministry said the 203 Mansouri, 201 Silab, and 205 Al-Badr Corps led the operations. Besides fatalities, the strikes injured 10 Pakistani soldiers and destroyed four military outposts.
Moreover, a deputy spokesperson said Afghan forces shot down two drones belonging to Pakistan’s military authorities.
Sediqullah Nasrat, deputy spokesperson of the defence ministry, said that Afghan forces used laser-guided weapons and advanced equipment during overnight offensives in Nangarhar, Paktia, Khost, and Kandahar under the leadership of the 203 Mansouri, 201 Khalid bin Walid, and 205 Al-Badr Corps. (Edited)