UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has called for de-escalation between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
In a statement delivered by his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, it was disclosed that the UN Secretary-General is closely monitoring reports of escalating cross-border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan, expressing deep concern over the recent surge in violence.
Guterres urged both nations to adhere strictly to their obligations under international law, with a specific emphasis on international humanitarian law and stressed the urgent need for both parties to prioritise the protection of civilians as confrontations continue.
Guterres also urged the parties to continue seeking to resolve any differences through diplomatic channels and commended the mediation efforts undertaken by several Member States in recent months.
This came as Pakistan bombed Afghanistan’s capital Kabul and other cities as fighting spread following attacks by Afghan forces against Pakistani military positions along their shared border earlier.
Pakistani Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif said today that his country’s “patience has run out” with the Taliban authorities in neighbouring Afghanistan, and that Pakistan would now be waging “open war.”
Asif framed the attack as one that his country had been forced to make, and followed “aggression” from Afghanistan.
“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.
“In the past, Pakistan’s role has been positive. It has hosted five million Afghans for 50 years. Even today, millions of Afghans are earning their livelihood on our soil. Our cup of patience has overflowed. Now it is open war between us and you.”
Khawaja Asif
Pakistani Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar claimed that 133 Afghan Taliban fighters had been killed in Pakistan’s attacks on Friday, and that Taliban positions had been targeted in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia.
Tarar said that nine Taliban positions had been captured and 27 destroyed, while adding that Pakistani attacks were continuing.
Afghan government Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that Afghanistan had launched its own attacks against Pakistani military bases in Kandahar and Helmand following the latest Pakistani attacks.
The strikes followed attacks by Afghan forces late on Thursday, February 27, 2026, on Pakistani positions on the border shared by the two countries.
A statement from the office of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the whole country was united behind Pakistan’s armed forces.
“The people of Pakistan and its Armed Forces are fully prepared to safeguard the nation’s security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. There will be no leniency in defending our beloved homeland, and any aggression will be met with a fitting response.
“We have always sought peace, but the country’s unity will not be touched, and the armed forces will firmly confront any aggression.”
Shehbaz Sharif
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which share a 2,611-kilometre-long (1,622-mile) border, have nose-dived since fighting in October killed more than 70 people on both sides of the border.
The tension stems from Pakistani accusations that Kabul has allowed armed groups such as the Pakistan Taliban to use Afghanistan as a base and launch attacks on Pakistan. The Pakistan Taliban shares deep ideological ties with the Taliban in Afghanistan, but is a distinct movement.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their differences through dialogue and good neighbourly principles, as he highlighted the significance of the holy month of Ramadan as a time for self-restraint and Islamic solidarity.
In a post on X early Friday, Araghchi reaffirmed Iran’s readiness to support the process, stating that his country is prepared to provide any necessary assistance to facilitate constructive dialogue, deepen mutual understanding, and promote cooperation between Kabul and Islamabad.
Russia has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to halt cross-border attacks and resolve their differences through diplomatic means, the RIA news agency reports, citing the foreign ministry.It added that Russia will consider providing mediation to the two countries if requested.
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