Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq: Pakistan Declares ‘Open War’

Pakistan has officially declared a state of "open war" with the Taliban government following a massive wave of airstrikes targeting Kabul, Kandahar, and other major Afghan cities. Dubbed Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq (Righteous Fury), the offensive targeted 22 military installations, including the 313 Brigade Headquarters, in response to intensified cross-border attacks along the Durand Line. The escalation marks the total collapse of the fragile 2025 ceasefire and a shift in Pakistan’s strategic doctrine toward direct regime-level confrontation.

What we know now: The February 27-28 Update

As of February 28, 2026, hostilities have transitioned from border skirmishes to deep-penetration aerial warfare.

• Airstrikes: PAF jets struck targets near Kabul International Airport and military hubs in Kandahar and Paktika.

• Casualties: Islamabad claims at least 297 Taliban combatants have been neutralized, while Kabul reports 13 deaths and civilian infrastructure damage.

• Counter-Strike: The Taliban utilized weaponized drones to target Pakistani military sites in Nowshehra and Abbottabad.

• Pilot Captured: Afghan forces have reportedly downed a Pakistani fighter jet in Jalalabad, capturing the pilot alive.

Rumors: The Fate of Hibatullah Akhundzada

Reports circulating on social media and OSINT platforms claim that the Taliban’s Supreme Leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, may have been killed or severely injured during the strikes on a Kabul headquarters. These claims remain unconfirmed. While the Taliban have confirmed that Pakistani aircraft flew over Kandahar—Akhundzada’s traditional base—they have not issued a statement regarding his status. Historically, the leader maintains a highly secretive lifestyle, making immediate verification difficult.

Key Facts and Targets

Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq has targeted the core of the Taliban's military infrastructure:

• Headquarters Destroyed: Two corps headquarters and three brigade headquarters, including the 313 Brigade and 205 Brigade.

• Equipment Losses: Pakistan claims the destruction of 135 tanks and armored vehicles.

• Territorial Gains: Islamabad reports the capture of 18 Afghan border posts.

Context: The Failure of Strategic Depth

The current conflict is the culmination of months of "tit-for-tat" clashes. Pakistan’s initial calculation—that a Taliban-led Afghanistan would provide "strategic depth"—has instead resulted in a security nightmare as the TTP continues to operate from Afghan soil. The declaration of "Open War" by Defense Minister Khawaja Asif signifies that Islamabad no longer views the Taliban as a manageable proxy, but as a direct existential threat.

What Happens Next: The Jalalabad Escalation

The focus now shifts to Jalalabad, where the capture of a Pakistani pilot creates a high-stakes diplomatic and military crisis. While the Taliban government has publicly called for "dialogue," their field commanders continue to conduct "large-scale offensive operations" along the frontier. International actors, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and China, have offered mediation, but the capture of a pilot may force a further Pakistani escalation before any ceasefire can be re-negotiated.

Bigger Signal

The transition to open war between Pakistan and Afghanistan represents a fundamental breakdown of the regional security architecture. By targeting national capitals, both sides have crossed a "red line" that previously confined conflict to the rugged borderlands. Should the rumor of Akhundzada's death prove true, it would trigger a leadership vacuum within the Taliban, potentially fragmenting the regime and creating even greater instability across the Durand Line.

FAQ

1. What is Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq? A retaliatory military campaign launched by Pakistan against the Afghan Taliban in February 2026.

2. Is the Taliban leader dead? Rumors of Hibatullah Akhundzada's death are currently unconfirmed and based on OSINT reports.

3. What started this war? Months of border clashes and a major Afghan offensive against Pakistani border posts on Feb 26.

4. How has the Taliban responded? With drone strikes on Pakistani cities and the capture of a PAF pilot.

5. What cities were bombed? Major strikes were reported in Kabul, Kandahar, Paktika, and Jalalabad.

6. Has anyone mediated? Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey have previously attempted mediation, but a state of "open war" persists.