State of the Union: The conflict over the Taliban’s support for an anti-Pakistani government militant group continues to escalate. The post Pakistan and Afghanistan in ‘Open War’ appeared first on The American Conservative .
Pakistan launched a wave of airstrikes Thursday night against targets deep in Afghanistan, including in the capital of Kabul. “Now it is open war between us and you,” Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif wrote to the Taliban in a post on X Friday. The episode is the latest in a months-long conflict between the Pakistani government and the Taliban in Afghanistan over the Taliban’s support for the militant group Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, also known as the Pakistani Taliban, which has killed hundreds of Pakistani civilians in terrorist attacks. Pakistan initially supported the Taliban in their guerilla war against the U.S. and its allies in Afghanistan, but the relationship soured after the Americans pulled out of the country…Open
PULSE POINTSWHAT HAPPENED: Pakistan and Afghanistan are engaged in “open war,” with Pakistan accusing Afghanistan of harboring militants and Afghanistan retaliating against cross-border airstrikes.WHO WAS INVOLVED: Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif, the Afghan Taliban, the Pakistani Taliban (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan/TTP), and other militant groups.WHEN & WHERE: Fighting restarted on February 26, 2026, along the Pakistan-Afghanistan […] The post Pakistan Defense Minister Says Country Now in ‘Open War’ With Afghanistan. appeared first on The National Pulse .
PULSE POINTS WHAT HAPPENED: Pakistan and Afghanistan are engaged in “open war ,” with Pakistan accusing Afghanistan of harboring militants and Afghanistan retaliating against cross-border airstrikes. WHO WAS INVOLVED: Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif, the Afghan Taliban, the Pakistani Taliban (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan/TTP), and other militant groups. WHEN & WHERE: Fighting restarted on February 26, 2026 , along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border . KEY QUOTE: “Pakistan made every effort to keep the situation normal through direct means and through friendly countries. It engaged in full-fledged diplomacy. But the Taliban became a proxy for India.” — Khawaja Mohammad Asif. IMPACT: The conflict has led to…Open