Breaking News: Pakistan Strikes Armed Groups in Afghanistan
Published: 22 February 2026
Pakistan has launched military strikes targeting armed groups in Afghanistan. The action follows recent suicide bombings in Pakistan, which officials attribute to fighters based in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence reported that the strikes occurred in the eastern provinces of Nangarhar and Paktika, hitting a school and residential areas. They stated that “dozens of innocent civilians, including women and children, were martyred and wounded.”
Local police in Nangarhar confirmed that the bombardment began around midnight and affected three districts. Police spokesperson Sayed Tayeeb Hammad noted that civilians were among the casualties, mentioning a specific incident where 23 family members were in one home.
In response, Afghanistan’s Defence Ministry vowed to deliver an “appropriate and calculated response” to the Pakistani actions.
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021. The United Nations reported that Pakistani military actions resulted in the deaths of 70 Afghan civilians from October to December last year.
Negotiations for a ceasefire have been unsuccessful, and the border remains largely closed, affecting residents of both countries.
