LIVEPakistan-Afghanistan conflict LIVE: High alert declared across Karachi, Pakistan claims 274 Taliban fighters killed in cross-border strikes and other updates

Pakistan claims 274 Taliban fighters killed in cross-border strikes

Pakistan has claimed that its recent strikes in Afghanistan have killed 274 Taliban fighters, according to the Director General of ISPR during a press conference.

Military spokesperson Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said on Friday that Pakistani air strikes targeted 22 Afghan military positions following intense overnight fighting between the two South Asian neighbours. He added that at least 12 Pakistani soldiers were killed, while 274 Taliban officials and militants have died since Thursday night.

Pakistan claims ‘heavy losses’ inflicted on Taliban positions

Pakistan has said its armed forces caused “heavy losses” at multiple Afghan Taliban posts, according to visuals aired by state-run Pakistan Television (PTV).

“Pakistani forces maintain relentless operations, inflicting heavy losses on Khyber Post, Qaumisar Complex, and Khawar Post,” PTV reported.

High alert declared across Karachi

Karachi has been placed on high alert, with Additional Inspector General Azad Khan issuing orders to tighten security across the city, according to a Karachi Police spokesperson quoted by Dawn. “The police chief has directed to make security arrangements at all sensitive installations, important government and semi-government offices, important buildings, airports, railway stations, bus terminals and other public places more stringent and effective,” the spokesperson’s statement said.

UK urges immediate de-escalation in Pakistan–Afghanistan conflict

British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper has called for “de-escalation” amid escalating fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan, adding to growing international appeals to halt the violence in South Asia. “We urge both sides to take immediate steps toward de-escalation, avoid further harm to civilians, and re-engage in mediated dialogue,” Britain’s top diplomat said on X.

Taliban claims Pakistani surveillance aircraft flying over Afghan airspace

The Taliban government on Friday alleged that Pakistani surveillance aircraft were “right now” flying over Afghanistan, hours after Islamabad carried out air strikes on Kabul and Kandahar. “Still, right now, Pakistani planes, reconnaissance aircraft, are flying over Afghanistan's airspace,” government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said at a news conference in the southern city of Kandahar.

Taliban says it seeks dialogue to resolve conflict with Pakistan

Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said on Friday that Afghanistan wants to resolve its latest conflict with Pakistan “through dialogue.” Speaking to reporters, Mujahid made the remarks amid intense fighting between the two neighbouring countries this week.

Shehbaz Sharif to visit Russia from March 3

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to travel to Russia on a three-day visit from March 3 to 5, according to a report by Russian state news agency RIA. The report cited a Pakistani official confirming the planned visit. Further details about the agenda of the trip have not yet been disclosed.

Mortar shell hits returnee camp near Torkham, seven injured

A mortar strike overnight hit the Omari camp near the Torkham border crossing, which shelters returnees from Pakistan, AFP reported, quoting a Nangarhar provincial official. “Unfortunately, seven of our refugees have been wounded, and the condition of one woman is serious,” said Qureshi Badlun, Nangarhar’s information chief. The attack took place amid continuing clashes between Pakistani forces and Taliban security personnel along the border.

According to OSINT Europe, the Taliban’s acting Minister of Higher Education, Neda Mohammad Nadeem (Nida Muhammad), was reportedly killed in Pakistani airstrikes amid the escalating border conflict. He was the son-in-law of Hibatullah Akhundzada.

Report claims Afghan Supreme Leader killed in Pakistan airstrikes

According to OSINT Europe, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Hibatullah Akhundzada, was reportedly killed along with senior Taliban commanders during Pakistani airstrikes that targeted headquarters in Kabul.

Amid Pakistan attacks, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai has said, "Afghans will defend their beloved homeland with complete unity in all circumstances and will respond to aggression with courage." Taking to X, he wrote, "Pakistan cannot free itself from the violence and bombings – those problems it has created itself – but must change its own policy and choose the path of good neighbourliness, respect, and civilised relations with Afghanistan."

As tensions continue along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, United Nations officials have called for restraint. The UN Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, urged “calm and respect for international human rights & humanitarian law, in particular the protection of civilians.” “Immediate de-escalation is essential,” Bennett said in a post on X. UN Secretary-General António Guterres earlier made similar appeals for restraint.

Saudi, Pakistani ministers discuss regional tensions

Amid escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud held a phone conversation with his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar. According to a statement posted on X by the Saudi foreign ministry, the two leaders discussed “developments in the region” and explored “ways to reduce tensions.”

Taliban fighters ‘wave white flags’ after Pakistani strikes: Report

Pakistani armed forces have “completely destroyed multiple key posts” of the Afghan Taliban, according to a report by Dawn citing state broadcaster PTV News and security sources. The sources further claimed that after the strong response, Taliban fighters had “waved white flags” over their positions, indicating surrender or retreat.

Pakistan links rise in terror attacks to Taliban takeover

During its weekly briefing, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed to a rise in attacks inside the country and linked it to the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan. In a purported video shared by news agency PTI, the ministry said, “…Terrorist attacks in Pakistan have increased after Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, more so in the last 12-18 months…”

Iran offers to mediate as Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions rise

Iran has stepped in with an offer to help ease growing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is prepared to “facilitate dialogue” between the two countries as clashes along their shared border continue to escalate.

Sharif says Pakistan can ‘crush’ any aggression after Afghanistan strikes

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the country’s armed forces are fully prepared to “crush” any aggressors following the recent airstrikes on Afghanistan. “Our forces have the full capability to crush any aggressive ambitions,” Sharif said, according to a post shared on the Pakistani government’s X page. He added, “The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan armed forces.”

Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions spiral as Islamabad declares ‘open war’,claims 133 Afghan fighters killed

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have sharply escalated after Islamabad declared what it called “open war” against the Afghan Taliban government. The situation worsened after Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Kabul and Kandahar on Friday, hours after Afghan forces attacked Pakistani border troops. The Taliban government said its action was retaliation for deadly Pakistani airstrikes earlier this week. Pakistan has claimed its forces killed 133 Afghan fighters. Kabul, on the other hand, said 55 Pakistani troops were killed in its offensive. Read full story