Taliban seeks talks as Pakistan launches ‘open war’, says 'want peaceful resolution through dialogue'

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid addresses a press conference in Kandahar on February 27, 2026, after overnight cross-border firing between Afghanistan and Pakistan. (Photo by AFP)

The Taliban-led Afghan government urged dialogue with Pakistan after deadly border clashes. Pakistan launched a military operation, claiming Taliban casualties, while Afghanistan reported Pakistani losses, escalating tensions over the disputed Durand Line.

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The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan on Friday called for dialogue with Pakistan to defuse rapidly escalating tensions, even as both sides exchanged heavy fire along the disputed border.

“We have repeatedly emphasised a peaceful solution and still want the issue to be resolved through dialogue," Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said at a press conference after deadly clashes along the frontier.

The appeal for talks came hours after Pakistan launched a large-scale retaliatory military operation following what it described as attacks by Afghan Taliban forces on multiple border posts.

Pakistan launches ‘Operation Ghazab Lil Haq’

According to CNN-News18, Pakistan initiated “Operation Ghazab Lil Haq” late Thursday night in response to alleged cross-border aggression.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed that the operation was underway, saying the armed forces were delivering a “strong response" to what Islamabad termed as hostile actions.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar claimed that at least 133 Afghan Taliban fighters were killed and more than 200 injured during the strikes.

He said Taliban defence targets in Kabul, Paktia and Kandahar were hit. Tarar added that 27 Taliban posts were destroyed and nine others captured, while indicating that further casualties could not be ruled out.

Later, Khawaja Asif escalated the rhetoric by describing the situation as an “open war" with Afghanistan in a strongly worded social media statement.

Accusing the Taliban administration of sheltering militants hostile to Pakistan, he said the country’s “cup of patience has overflowed," signalling a hardened stance from Islamabad.

Afghanistan claims Pakistani casualties

Kabul rejected Pakistan’s claims and accused Islamabad of violating Afghan territory first.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of National Defence stated that 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed in retaliatory actions along the Durand Line on Thursday.

In its statement, the ministry said the operations began at 8:00 PM on February 26, the ninth day of Ramadan, in response to earlier incursions by Pakistani forces into Afghan territory.

The Afghan Taliban has consistently denied allowing its soil to be used for attacks against Pakistan.

Durand Line tensions resurface

The fresh escalation underscores long-standing friction along the Durand Line, the 19th century boundary drawn during British colonial rule that remains disputed by Afghanistan.

Pakistan has repeatedly accused militants of crossing over from Afghanistan to carry out attacks inside its territory. Islamabad links the recent surge in violence to the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and Baloch separatist outfits.

While the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan is organisationally distinct from the Afghan Taliban, it shares ideological and social links with the group and has operated in Pakistan’s tribal belt since 2007.

Pakistan signals military readiness

Amid the heightened tensions, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the country’s armed forces and citizens were fully prepared to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He reiterated the military’s commitment to maintaining peace and security, even as the rhetoric from both sides intensified.

Despite the Taliban’s public call for dialogue, the scale of military action and the sharp exchange of accusations suggest that relations between Islamabad and Kabul have entered one of their most volatile phases in recent years.