Afghanistan launches retaliatory attacks on Pakistani border posts: Taliban spokesperson
Kartavya Desk Staff
Afghanistan has launched offensive operations against Pakistani military positions along the border, the Taliban’s spokesperson said Thursday night, as retaliation for recent Pakistani airstrikes. “In response to repeated provocations and violations by Pakistani military circles, large-scale offensive operations have been launched against Pakistani military positions and installations along the Durand Line,” Zabihullah Mujahid, spoksperson for the Taliban administration, said in a post on X. > وَمَا رَمَيْتَ إِذْ رَمَيْتَ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ رَمَىٰ ۚ پاکستانی فوجی حلقوں کی جانب سے بار بار سرحدی تجاوز اور سرکشی کے ردِعمل میں، ڈیورنڈ لائن پر پاکستانی فوج کے مراکز اور عسکری تنصیبات پر وسیع پیمانے پر اقدامی کارروائیاں شروع کر دی گئیں۔ اللهم انصرالمجاهدین في کل مکان! pic.twitter.com/6IhqSeCpbe — Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) February 26, 2026 وَمَا رَمَيْتَ إِذْ رَمَيْتَ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ رَمَىٰ ۚ پاکستانی فوجی حلقوں کی جانب سے بار بار سرحدی تجاوز اور سرکشی کے ردِعمل میں، ڈیورنڈ لائن پر پاکستانی فوج کے مراکز اور عسکری تنصیبات پر وسیع پیمانے پر اقدامی کارروائیاں شروع کر دی گئیں۔ اللهم انصرالمجاهدین في کل مکان! pic.twitter.com/6IhqSeCpbe — Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) February 26, 2026 Last week, Pakistan’s military carried out strikes along the border with Afghanistan, saying it had killed at least 70 militants. Afghanistan rejected the claim, saying dozens of civilians had been killed. In comments before dawn Sunday, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar wrote on X that the military conducted what he described as “intelligence-based, selective operations” against seven camps belonging to the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, and its affiliates. He said an affiliate of the Islamic State group was also targeted in the border region. In October, Pakistan also conducted strikes deep inside Afghanistan to target militant hideouts. Tarar said Pakistan “has always strived to maintain peace and stability in the region,” but added that the safety and security of Pakistani citizens remained a top priority. However, hours before Thursday’s border clashes erupted, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi defended the military’s Sunday strikes, saying they were on training camps of the Pakistani Taliban along the Afghan border. At a weekly news conference in Islamabad, he said those “precision strikes were carried out” in response to recent militant attacks in Pakistan. Andrabi said Pakistan “remains cognisant of the threats that emanate from Afghanistan.” He said attacks inside Pakistan, which he blamed on the Pakistani Taliban, have increased over the past year. “We have nothing against the people of Afghanistan,” Andrabi said. Militant violence has surged in Pakistan in recent years, much of which Pakistan blames on the Pakistani Taliban, or TTP, and outlawed Baloch separatist groups. The TTP is separate from but closely allied with Afghanistan’s Taliban. Islamabad accuses the TTP of operating from inside Afghanistan, a charge both the group and Kabul deny. (With inputs from agencies) The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More