Pakistan-Afghanistan War LIVE updates: UN chief calls for immediate ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan

Antonio Guterres on Friday urged an immediate ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan following intense clashes along their shared border.

According to his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, the UN chief is “deeply concerned” about the sharp escalation in violence and its toll on civilians caught in the crossfire.

Guterres appealed to both sides to halt hostilities without delay and stressed that outstanding disputes must be settled through dialogue and diplomatic channels rather than continued confrontation.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) government in Pakistan has imposed an immediate and complete ban on outdoor drone flights across the province, amid ongoing tensions with Afghanistan.

According to a notification from the provincial home department, the ban does not apply to small drones used indoors, such as in halls or marquees, or to drones operated by intelligence and law enforcement agencies. The restriction will remain in effect for 30 days.

At least four Afghan checkpoints were destroyed at the Arandu border, according to a report. Lower Chitral Deputy Commissioner Rao Hashim Azim told Pakistani outlet Dawn that “four to five” Afghan government posts were hit late last night.

He said both small and heavy weapons were used in the retaliatory strike, which followed firing from the Afghan side. Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations reported 274 Afghan Taliban fighters killed and over 400 injured. Meanwhile, Kabul claimed 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 19 outposts captured.

Pakistan’s Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, has alleged a link between recent suicide attacks and terrorist activities in the country.

At a press conference, Tarar claimed that Afghanistan who cross into Pakistan to target civilians and security forces, according to Dawn

Pakistan Ministry of Interior has issued an immediate ban on the outdoor flying of quadcopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) across the country, citing the prevailing security environment, Al Jazeera reported.

The ban is effective nationwide immediately and will remain in place until further notice. All provincial governments and chief secretaries have been instructed to ensure strict enforcement.

The directive follows claims by the Afghanistan Defense Ministry that it had “successfully conducted” drone attacks on military targets in Pakistan. Pakistan confirmed drone activity in three cities but reported no damage.

“Small drones in Abbottabadunkhwa pakistan”], Swabihwa pakistan”], and Nowshera were brought down,” said Attaullah Tarar

Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, over the phone to discuss regional developments, including the situation between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 held a phone conversation with Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr Badr Abdelatty @MFAEgypt, exchanging views on recent regional developments, including the situation between Pakistan and Afghanistan.… pic.twitter.com/k2Ib1sot7s

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) February 27, 2026

Dar emphasised that Pakistan’s response to unprovoked aggression has been “measured but decisive,” with the armed forces conducting successful operations under Operation Ghazb lil Haq to protect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the foreign ministry said in a post on X.

The two leaders also stressed the importance of regional peace and stability and agreed to stay in contact on evolving developments.

Pakistan’s Senate has passed a resolution “unequivocally condemning” attacks from Afghan Taliban, warning that any attempt to threaten the country’s national security and sovereignty will be met with a “firm, proportionate and decisive response.”

The resolution, shared with Dawn, expressed “deep disappointment that instead of reciprocal goodwill, Pakistan continues to face hostile rhetoric, cross-border violations, and the persistent presence of anti-Pakistan terrorist elements operating from Afghan soil.”

It called on the Afghan Taliban to “immediately cease all hostile actions” and to “honour their international obligations and commitments to peaceful coexistence.”

The Taliban said on Friday that at least 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed in overnight operations. The group also claimed to have captured two army bases and 19 posts along the Durand Line.

The attacks reportedly targeted Pakistani military positions near the provinces of Paktika, Paktia, Khost, Nangarhar, Kunar, and Nuristan. “The assigned objectives were achieved as planned, and at midnight, by order of the Chief of General Staff of the Islamic Emirate, the fighting ceased,” the Taliban said.

Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, Qatari minister of state at the Foreign Ministry, held a phone call with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

A statement from the Qatari Foreign Ministry said the two sides discussed ways to de‑escalate tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan in a manner that strengthens security and stability in the region.

British foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said the UK is “deeply concerned” over rising tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

“We urge both sides to take immediate steps toward de‑escalation, avoid further harm to civilians, and re‑engage in mediated dialogue,” Cooper wrote on X.

Addressing a media briefing, Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that the Afghan Taliban “tried to use some rudimentary, basic drones” to carry out attacks in Sibi, Abbottabad, and Nowshera.

“Our anti-drone systems took them out,” he added.

Pakistan’s military spokesperson said at least 12 Pakistani soldiers have been killed amid the ongoing conflict with Afghanistan. The casualties came as fighting continued along the border following intensified military operations.

The announcement is one of the most serious losses acknowledged by Pakistan so far, highlighting the escalating nature of the Afghanistan-Pakistan conflict.

Overnight, Pakistan carried out air attacks on Afghanistan, including the capital, Kabul.

Earlier, Afghan forces attacked Pakistani border troops on Thursday night in retaliation for air strikes by Pakistan earlier in the week.

Khawaja Asif has declared an “all-out war” between the two countries.

A Pakistan military spokesperson said 228 Taliban fighters were killed and 314 injured in the attacks, adding that 74 Taliban posts were destroyed and 18 captured.

A Taliban spokesperson said 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 19 posts seized. He added that eight Taliban fighters were killed, 11 wounded, and 13 civilians injured in Nangarhar.

There are also reports of civilian casualties on both sides.

Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry said it “successfully conducted” drone attacks on military targets in Pakistan.

Mujahid said that Pakistan shows no intention of resolving issues through dialogue, with reconnaissance planes continuing to operate over Afghanistan airspace.

He added that a “special” group within the Pakistani army was responsible for “the mission of destabilising the region,” TOLOnews reported.

Spokesman for the Taliban-led government, Zabihullah Mujahid, said that Afghanistan will respond to “every evil act of Pakistan in Islamabad.”

He described the TTP issue as a “pretext to destabilise the region,” calling it Pakistan’s “domestic issue.”

“We have good relations with India, but it is never against Pakistan,” he added.

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul-Hassan Lanjar issued a statement saying that, in view of the current situation, the security of the entire Pakistan province “should be on high alert.”

“There is no compromise on the defense, sovereignty and security of the beloved homeland,” he said, adding that Pakistan reserves the constitutional, legal and moral right to protect its borders.

He also said, “The professionalism, courage and sacrifice of the security forces are a source of pride for the entire nation.”

As tensions with Afghanistan continue to rise, Pakistan said drones were “brought down” in three cities.

As per a statement by minister Attaullah Tarar on X, the drones were downed in Abbottabad, Swabi and Nowshera.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held separate calls on Friday with his counterparts from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia to discuss the conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan, a Turkish diplomatic source told Reuters.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also spoke with Fidan by telephone and exchanged views on recent regional developments, particularly the situation between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s foreign minister, and Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s foreign minister, discussed the Pakistan–Afghanistan conflict, according to Pakistan’s foreign ministry.

During the phone call, Dar told Fidan that Pakistani forces had responded to what he described as “unprovoked Afghan aggression”.

Both leaders emphasised the importance of peace and stability in the region and agreed to remain closely engaged as the situation develops, the ministry said.

Taliban authorities in Afghanistan said they “successfully conducted” drone air strikes targeting military sites in Pakistan, as clashes between the neighbours continued.

Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said militants attempted to use drones against targets inside Pakistan, but the devices were intercepted by anti-drone systems and there was no loss of life.

Taliban authorities in Afghanistan said on Friday that they carried out coordinated air strikes targeting a military facility near Islamabad in Pakistan, amid rising tensions between the two neighbours.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم

وَإِنَّ جُندَنَا لَهُمُ الْغَالِبُونَ.

Today at approximately 11:00 AM, the Air Force of the Ministry of National Defense conducted coordinated airstrikes targeting a military camp near Faizabad in Islamabad, a military base in Nowshera,... pic.twitter.com/8iM49sRJtA

— د ملي دفاع وزارت - وزارت دفاع ملی (@MoDAfghanistan2) February 27, 2026

In a statement, the Taliban Defence Ministry said the air force of the Ministry of National Defense conducted strikes at around 11:00 am on a military camp near Faizabad and on a military base in Nowshera.

Fresh gunfire and shelling were reported near the key Torkham border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan on Friday, as the neighbours continued deadly fighting, AFP reported.

Incoming shelling was heard from the Afghan side from around 9:30 am (local time) before cross-border clashes resumed, with gunfire heard in the distance. An AFP journalist at the scene reported seeing additional Afghan troops moving towards the frontier before security forces ordered him to leave the area.

The Torkham crossing has remained open for Afghans returning in large numbers from Pakistan, even though the land border has been largely shut since fighting escalated in October.

Afghanistan National Television reported that three people — including a woman and two schoolchildren — were killed in Pakistani air strikes in Paktika Province.

Seven others were injured after a bomb struck a civilian residence, the report said.

Taliban authorities in Afghanistan said they carried out retaliatory strikes against Pakistani border posts in the east and south-east of the country, claiming dozens of Pakistani soldiers were killed.

Taliban government spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid told BBC that Afghan forces destroyed 19 Pakistani border posts and detained several Pakistani soldiers.

The Omari camp near the Torkham border crossing, which shelters returnees from Pakistan, was struck by a mortar shell overnight, according to AFP citing a provincial official in Nangarhar.

“Seven refugees have been wounded, and one woman is in serious condition,” said Qureshi Badlun.

The shelling comes amid continuing clashes along the border between Pakistani forces and security personnel of the Taliban.

Amid ongoing tensions, China said on Friday it has been mediating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, expressing deep concern over the escalating situation along their border.

Speaking at a press briefing, Mao Ning said Beijing has been using its own channels to help ease tensions and is willing to play a constructive role in stabilising the situation, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.

Amid the escalating tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Kabul is claiming that it has shot down a Pakistani aircraft entering its airspace. However, the videos circulating online of the incident are being termed as fake.

The news was first reported by Tolo News, citing Afghan security sources. An unverified video circulating on social media appeared to show the wreckage of a burning aircraft. One of the online users identified it as a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet, allegedly shot down by Afghan forces.

Here’s all that has happened since morning:

• Taliban launched a “large-scale” operation against Pakistan overnight, claiming to have killed several Pakistani soldiers and taking others as prisoners. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said operations had been launched against Pakistani military positions along the Durand Line in response to what he called repeated provocations
• Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that Islamabad’s retaliation to the Taliban attacks was a “befitting response”, as blasts and gunfire rang out in the cities of Kabul and Kandahar under Operation Ghazab lil-Haq
• Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has declared an “open war” with Afghanistan
• The Taliban administration also claimed that its forces had shot down an F-16 fighter jet
• The Taliban government in Afghanistan said that the attacks were in response to Pakistani strikes earlier this week, which had reportedly killed 18 people, as Islamabad said it targeted alleged militant camps and hideouts
• Afghanistan’s Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada died in the Pakistani strikes
• Countries including Russia, Iran and China have reacted to conflict and called for de-escalation

Pakistan’s Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, said 133 Afghan Taliban fighters had been killed and more than 200 wounded in the clashes.

The Taliban government, however, said eight of its fighters were killed and 11 were injured. It also claimed its forces had killed 55 Pakistani soldiers and seized two military bases along with 19 military posts.

Pakistan, for its part, said two of its security personnel had been killed in the ongoing fighting.

China has said it is “deeply concerned” by fighting between Afghanistan and Pakistan, adding Beijing was talking to the two sides as it called for a ceasefire.

China “calls on both sides to remain calm and exercise restraint… achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible, and avoid further bloodshed”, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a regular press briefing.

The ministry and China’s embassies in Pakistan and Afghanistan were “working with relevant parties in both countries on this matter”, she added.