Kabul / Islamabad: Fresh violence erupted along the volatile Durand Line on Thursday after Afghanistan’s Taliban administration claimed it had launched a large-scale retaliatory offensive against Pakistani military posts, alleging multiple casualties and the capture of several Pakistani soldiers.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the action was carried out in response to what he described as repeated Pakistani airstrikes and border violations. In statements posted online, Mujahid asserted that Taliban forces targeted several Pakistani positions and that “specialised laser-equipped units” conducted overnight operations along the frontier.

Pakistan, however, rejected the Taliban’s account, stating its forces responded only after “unprovoked firing” by Afghan troops on multiple posts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to Islamabad, clashes continued for over two hours before Pakistani troops retaliated and secured the affected areas.

Afghanistan carries out retaliatory strikes against Pakistan.

➜ Afghan-Pak clashes escalate along the Durand line.

➜ Clashes reported in multiple border provinces.

➜ Afghan Forces claim capture of Pak positions

➜ Afghan Forces claim capture of 7 Pak posts@RishabhMPratap… pic.twitter.com/zNyOuJAXRK

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) February 26, 2026

Trigger: Weekend Airstrikes

The confrontation follows Pakistani air raids earlier this week targeting what Islamabad described as militant hideouts belonging to Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State – Khorasan Province in eastern Afghanistan. Pakistan maintains that TTP leaders operate from Afghan soil and orchestrate attacks inside Pakistan — a charge the Taliban government firmly denies.

Kabul had warned of an “appropriate and measured response” to the airstrikes, which it claimed resulted in civilian casualties. Thursday’s cross-border exchange appears to be that response.

Fragile Calm Under Strain

The 2,600-km frontier has long been a flashpoint, but tensions have intensified in recent months amid rising militant violence and mistrust between the two neighbours. The latest fighting threatens a fragile ceasefire established after deadly clashes last October.

With both sides trading accusations and ramping up security measures, observers warn that sustained hostilities along the disputed border could further destabilize an already fragile regional security landscape.