Foreign Office Warns Kabul of Decisive Retaliation as Conflict Enters Open War

ISLAMABAD – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO) issued a stern warning to the Afghan Taliban regime on Friday, February 27, 2026, declaring that any further provocation would be met with a “measured, decisive, and befitting response.” This diplomatic ultimatum follows the launch of Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq, a massive military counter-offensive that has seen Pakistani jets strike deep into the heart of Afghanistan.

The Foreign Office statement clarified that Pakistan’s actions were taken in the exercise of its legitimate right to self-defense under the UN Charter, following months of “patient engagement” that was repeatedly met with betrayal and unprovoked cross-border violence.

Key Points of the FO Statement

The FO spokesperson characterized the ongoing conflict as a direct result of Kabul’s failure to address the presence of terrorist sanctuaries.

• Targeting the Nexus: The FO noted that the operation successfully neutralized logistical bases belonging to Fitna-al-Khawarij (TTP) and Fitna-al-Hindustan (BLA/militant groups in Balochistan), groups that Islamabad claims are actively backed by both the Taliban regime and Indian intelligence.
• Failure of Diplomacy: “Pakistan’s goodwill gestures and responsible approach were misconstrued,” the statement read, adding that the Taliban regime chose to “renege on its international obligations” rather than act against the terrorists on its soil.
• Regional Stability: The FO emphasized that Pakistan’s response is aimed at ensuring the security of the wider region, which is currently threatened by the export of terrorism from Afghan territory.

Battlefield Update: Successes of Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq

According to the latest figures released by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and the DG ISPR early Saturday morning:

• Casualty Count: A confirmed 297 Taliban and Khawarij combatants have been eliminated, with over 450 injured.
• Territorial Dominance: Pakistan has captured 18 Afghan posts and destroyed 89 others along the Durand Line.
• Strategic Hits: Precision airstrikes successfully targeted 29 high-value locations across Afghanistan, including military installations in Kabul and Kandahar.
• Equipment Loss: The Taliban’s heavy armor has been crippled, with 135 tanks, APCs, and artillery pieces confirmed destroyed.

International and Domestic Reactions

The conflict has drawn immediate global attention as the region teeters on the edge of a broader crisis:

• The “Open War” Declaration: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif officially declared that the state of “skirmishes” has ended, and the two neighbors are now in a state of “open war.”
• Global Mediation: Qatar, Turkey, and China have reportedly opened channels for communication, urging both sides to show restraint. However, Islamabad maintains that “threats must be neutralized” before talks can resume.
• Domestic Solidarity: In a major show of unity, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and other political leaders have expressed support for the armed forces, while also proposing a “National Jirga” to address the long-term root causes of the border tension.

Humanitarian and Civil Impact

• Border Closures: The Friendship Gates at Torkham and Chaman remain sealed, with heavy military patrols on both sides.
• Civilian Shielding: The DG ISPR highlighted that the Afghan Taliban and Khawarij have been using residential areas and mosques as “human shields,” though Pakistani forces used “extraordinary precision” to avoid collateral damage during the strikes.

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