Pakistan Strikes Militant Hideouts in Afghanistan Following Islamabad Attack

Pakistan’s military carried out air strikes in Afghanistan on Sunday, February 22, 2026, targeting what it described as camps and hideouts belonging to armed groups responsible for recent attacks, including a deadly suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Islamabad earlier this month. The strikes have raised tensions between the two South Asian neighbors and prompted condemnation from the Afghan government.

Condemnation and Casualties

The Afghan Ministry of Defence condemned the attacks, stating they “hit a religious school and residential homes” in the border provinces of Nangarhar and Paktika, resulting in dozens of deaths and injuries, including women and children. Afghan sources reported at least 17 people were killed in Nangarhar, including twelve children and teenagers killed in an assault on a house in the Bihsud district Al Jazeera.

Pakistan’s Justification

Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting stated the military conducted “intelligence-based, selective operations” against seven camps and hideouts belonging to the Pakistan Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and its affiliates. An affiliate of the Islamic State group was also targeted in the border region Al Jazeera. These strikes followed a suicide bombing in Islamabad on February 6, which claimed 40 lives and was claimed by the Islamic State group, marking the deadliest attack in the city since the 2008 Marriott hotel bombing Al Jazeera.

Escalating Tensions and Ceasefire Attempts

The attacks threaten a fragile ceasefire negotiated after deadly border clashes in October 2025, which resulted in numerous casualties among soldiers, civilians, and suspected fighters. Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have significantly deteriorated since the Taliban took control of Kabul in 2021, with Islamabad accusing its neighbor of harboring armed militants who launch attacks on Pakistani territory – allegations the Afghan government denies The Independent.

Border Closure and UN Report

The land border between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been closed since mid-October, with limited exceptions, impacting trade and the movement of people. A United Nations mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) report, published on February 8, indicated that 70 civilians were killed and 478 injured in Afghanistan by actions attributed to Pakistani forces in the last three months of 2025 Al Jazeera. The report also noted that civilian casualties from cross-border clashes between October 1 and December 31, 2025, exceeded annual figures recorded since 2011 Al Jazeera.

Pakistan’s Stance and International Pressure

Islamabad maintains it has consistently sought peace and stability in the region, emphasizing that the safety and security of its citizens remain a top priority. The Pakistani government is calling on the international community to exert pressure on Kabul to address the issue of armed groups operating from Afghan territory Al Jazeera.