A military soldier stands guard at a abandoned entry level on the Friendship Gate, following the exchanges of fireplace between Pakistan and Afghanistan forces, on the border crossing between the 2 international locations, in Chaman, Pakistan February 27, 2026.
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ABDUL KHALIQ ACHAKZAI
Pakistan and Afghanistan edged nearer to all-out war this week, escalating tensions in a region the place the world’s financial superpowers are vying for affect.
Pakistan stated it bombed targets in the Afghan capital Kabul to punish the Taliban authorities that it blames for backing lethal assaults by militants inside Pakistan. Later Friday, the Afghan state information channel reported new Taliban strikes on a number of border posts. Clashes by each side had been ongoing Friday evening, in response to native media studies.
The violence dangers additional destabilising part of Asia the place the US, China and India all have necessary pursuits – and which additionally faces fallout in the occasion of an American assault on neighbouring Iran. Each Pakistan and Afghanistan are threatening to increase the change, although in addition they have causes to dial it again.
President Donald Trump has stated he needs to revive American management over Bagram airbase in Afghanistan — vacated when the US military pulled out in 2021 after 20 years of occupation — primarily to maintain tabs on China. He’s heaped reward on Pakistan’s navy chief, Area Marshal Asim Munir, including to strains in US-India ties.
In the meantime Beijing, one in every of Pakistan’s oldest pals and largest monetary backers, has been stepping up engagement with the Taliban.
All of this varieties a backdrop to this week’s resurgence in combating, which Pakistan’s protection minister known as “open war.”
The 2 international locations have given sharply various estimates of casualties in the most recent clashes, which adopted months of assaults inside Pakistan – most notably by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP. The Afghan Taliban denies backing the militant group, which largely focused far-flung tribal areas however not too long ago claimed a suicide bombing in the capital Islamabad.
‘Too weak’
“These retaliations are getting worse bit by bit,” stated Pramit Pal Chaudhuri, head of South Asia at consulting agency Eurasia Group. Nonetheless, he sees limits to the escalation as a result of “each international locations are too weak to be doing rather more than they’re doing now.”
The Taliban remains to be constrained by its diplomatic isolation, whereas Pakistan – whose bond markets took successful Friday on the renewed combating — urgently wants overseas funding. Earlier rounds of clashes have been adopted by fast de-escalations.
At a information convention Friday, Pakistan navy spokesman Lt Common Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry stated the “operation is continuous” in Afghanistan, and 12 of its troopers have died, he stated. Data Minister Attaullah Tarar later stated Pakistan has killed 297 Taliban militants and regime personnel.
Afghan authorities stated their forces have killed 55 Pakistani troopers whereas shedding 11 of their very own. The Taliban needs to resolve the battle by means of talks however has the aptitude to strike Pakistan anytime, spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid stated.
If Pakistan pursues the marketing campaign, one quarter the place it may discover help is Washington. Pakistan needs to finish its operations towards militants in Afghanistan rapidly and present the US it’s dedicated to combating terrorism, in response to an individual conversant in the matter, who requested to not be recognized due to the sensitivity of the matter.
Trump has hosted Munir on the White Home a number of instances, and he’s pledged to develop Pakistan’s mineral and oil wealth. The US president, who says his interventions have ended a number of wars, was requested Friday if anybody had reached out for assist mediating this one.
“Effectively, I’d, however I get together with Pakistan as you already know, very properly,” Trump stated, describing Munir as “a fantastic basic, a fantastic chief.”
Different international locations have stepped ahead with mediation presents.
China has been engaged on mediation by way of “its personal channels,” a overseas ministry spokeswoman stated Friday. Beijing has invested billions of {dollars} in an financial hall with Pakistan, and historically backed its ally’s anti-terror campaigns. However China has additionally been cultivating the Taliban since its return to energy in 2021, receiving diplomats appointed by the Islamist motion and assembly different Afghan officers.
Iran’s overseas minister stated the nation is “prepared to offer any help in facilitating dialogue.” Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, which all have pleasant ties with Pakistan, have sought to dealer ceasefires and promote talks.
Trump’s overtures to Munir have irked India, Pakistan’s longstanding rival. The 2 nuclear powers traded air and missile strikes final yr, their worst clashes in many years, and blame one another for supporting militant teams. India has stepped up a seek for commerce routes that bypass Pakistan.
TTP risk
Inside Pakistan, the risk posed by the TTP has been steadily rising. The group took duty for a suicide bombing close to a courthouse in Islamabad in November that killed a minimum of 12 individuals. However the brunt of its assaults have been borne by Pakistanis in the border areas.
One resident of Lakki Marwat, a city in that region, described how some 60 TTP gunmen arrived demanding meals and threatening to shoot residents who didn’t prepare dinner for them.
Border crossings between the international locations have been shut for months, and commerce has come to a standstill. Pakistan’s exports have plunged, whereas provide disruptions have pushed up meals costs.
Neither facet actually needs a full-blown battle, and “this means a willingness to conform to internationally mediated talks that might work towards a ceasefire,” stated Michael Kugelman, a senior fellow on the Atlantic Council assume tank in Washington. “However in the absence of a Taliban dedication to curb the TTP, it could simply be a matter of time till the ceasefire is damaged and violence resumes.”
Extra tales like this can be found on bloomberg.com
Printed on February 28, 2026
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