Pakistan’s Geo TV Hacked, Anti-Military Messages Aired Amid Escalating Border War with Afghanistan

In a dramatic escalation of tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Pakistan's leading news broadcaster Geo TV was reportedly hacked, with anti-Pakistani military messages briefly telecast on the channel. The cyber intrusion comes at a time when hostilities between the two neighbouring countries have intensified into what Pakistani officials are describing as an "open war."

Geo TV Broadcast Disrupted

According to initial reports, unauthorized messages critical of Pakistan's military establishment were aired on Geo TV. While the channel has not officially detailed the duration or technical aspects of the breach, the incident has triggered concerns over cyber security vulnerabilities amid heightened military conflict.

The hack occurred against the backdrop of rapidly escalating cross-border clashes that have seen both sides exchange heavy fire and launch air strikes.

Border Fighting Intensifies

Fighting between Afghan and Pakistani troops continued on Sunday (March 1, 2026), with multiple strikes reported, including attacks around the former U.S. air base at Bagram Air Base.

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had earlier declared that the two nations were at "open war" following months of tit-for-tat border clashes.

Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that 46 locations across Afghanistan had been targeted in air strikes since Islamabad launched its military operation. He claimed that 415 Afghan soldiers had been killed, while 12 Pakistani soldiers lost their lives.

Another Pakistani minister reiterated that the operation against the Afghan Taliban was ongoing, dismissing social media reports suggesting the military campaign had concluded.

Afghanistan's Counter-Claims

Afghanistan's Taliban administration offered sharply contrasting figures. Deputy spokesperson Fitrat claimed that more than 80 Pakistani soldiers had been killed and that 27 military posts were captured. Earlier, the Taliban government had said 13 of its troops were killed, according to AFP.

The conflicting casualty claims underline the difficulty in independently verifying battlefield information as the conflict intensifies.

PM Shehbaz Sharif Postpones Russia Visit

Amid the growing crisis, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif postponed his scheduled visit to Russia, citing the "regional and internal situation." He was expected to travel from March 3 to 5, according to earlier reports in Russian media.

The current wave of clashes escalated after Afghanistan launched an offensive along the frontier on February 26, 2026. Pakistani forces responded with retaliatory strikes along the border and aerial bombardments.

Rising Regional Tensions

The hacking of Geo TV adds a cyber dimension to an already volatile military confrontation. Analysts warn that alongside conventional warfare, information warfare and cyber operations could further inflame tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

With both sides trading heavy accusations and casualty claims, the situation along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border remains fluid and highly sensitive, raising fears of a prolonged regional conflict.