Pakistan's Nur Khan Airbase And 12th Corps HQ Hit In Drone Attack: Taliban

Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan sharply escalated after Afghan authorities claimed that their forces carried out drone strikes on key military installations inside Pakistan.

The strikes reportedly targeted important airbases and military facilities, marking one of the most serious cross-border confrontations in recent times.

Afghan Forces Target Key Military Sites

According to Afghanistan's Ministry of Defense, its Air Force conducted "precise and coordinated" aerial operations against several Pakistani military locations. Among the reported targets was the Nur Khan Airbase, a major military airbase in Rawalpindi.

Afghan officials also said that operations were carried out against the 12th Division headquarters in Quetta, Balochistan, and the Khwazai military camp in the Mohmand Agency of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Several other facilities and command centers were reportedly struck during the operation.

The ministry stated that preliminary assessments showed "significant damage" to the intended targets.

Response to Pakistani Air Strikes

Afghanistan said the attacks were carried out in retaliation for earlier Pakistani military strikes on Kabul, Bagram, and other locations. Afghan officials accused Pakistan of violating their airspace and warned that any further aggression would be met with a "swift, decisive, and proportionate response."

The Afghan side also claimed that two Pakistani military drones were shot down.

Cross-Border Clashes Intensify

Reports from Afghan authorities suggest that their forces crossed the disputed Durand Line and attacked several Pakistani military posts. The Afghan Ministry of Defense claimed that 32 Pakistani soldiers were killed during cross-border operations conducted between February 28 and March 1. It also said 10 more soldiers were injured and four outposts were destroyed.

The operations were reportedly carried out by different Afghan army corps units, including the 203 Mansouri, 201 Silab, and 205 Al-Badr Corps.

Civilian Casualties Alleged

Afghan officials accused the Pakistani military of carrying out drone strikes on civilian areas in Nangarhar province, particularly in the Ghani Khail district. According to Afghan authorities, four homes were destroyed in the attack, one woman was killed, and two others were injured.

The Afghan administration further claimed that from February 22 to February 28, at least 52 civilians were killed and 66 injured in multiple strikes across provinces such as Khost, Paktika, Nangarhar, Paktia, Kandahar, and Kunar.

A Dangerous Escalation

The exchange of drone strikes and cross-border attacks signals a serious rise in tensions between the two neighbouring countries. The border between Afghanistan and Pakistan has long been a source of disagreement, especially along the Durand Line, which Afghanistan does not formally recognise as an international border.

Security experts warn that continued military action on both sides could destabilise the wider region. With both countries accusing each other of aggression, diplomatic efforts may be needed urgently to prevent further escalation.

For now, the situation remains tense, and the international community is closely watching developments along the volatile Afghanistan-Pakistan border.