Kabul Blasts Reported as “Open War” Enters Fifth Day

KABUL / ISLAMABAD — Explosions and anti-aircraft fire reverberated through the Afghan capital, Kabul, early on Sunday, March 1, 2026, as the conflict between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban regime escalated into its fourth consecutive day of high-intensity combat.

While the international community remains largely distracted by the simultaneous U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, the border war in South Asia has reached a critical juncture with Pakistan maintaining a “no dialogue” stance until its security objectives are achieved.

Airstrikes and Ground Gains

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) continued its deep-strike campaign under Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq, targeting military installations and command centers.

• Kabul & Bagram: Taliban officials claimed to have thwarted a Pakistani strike on the strategic Bagram Air Base, though secondary explosions were reported in Kabul’s western outskirts.
• Territorial Control: In the southern Zhob sector, Pakistani ground forces have reportedly secured a 32-square-kilometer (12-mile) area of Afghan territory to create a buffer against TTP incursions.
• Casualty Reports: Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar updated the figures on Sunday, claiming that 415 Afghan Taliban personnel have been killed and over 580 injured. He also noted the destruction of 182 Taliban checkposts, with 31 now under Pakistani control.

Disinformation Warfare: The Adil Raja Factor

As ground battles rage, a parallel “hybrid war” is being waged online. Proscribed YouTuber and former army officer Adil Raja has faced intense criticism for promoting what officials call a “foreign-funded narrative.”

• The “Paid War” Claim: From his base in the UK, Raja has alleged that Pakistani soldiers are “dying for America’s war,” claiming the military is receiving financial incentives from Washington to attack Afghanistan.
• Fact Check: These claims have been dismissed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as “malicious fabrications.” Experts note that Raja’s rhetoric closely aligns with Indian state narratives, aiming to demoralize Pakistani troops and incite domestic unrest.
• Legal Reckoning: Raja’s credibility has been further damaged by a recent London High Court ruling, which ordered him to pay £350,000 for defaming a retired intelligence officer, a verdict the Pakistani government cites as proof of his “habitual lying.”

Humanitarian Impact & Civilian Toll

The human cost of the “Open War” is mounting rapidly:

• Civilian Deaths: Kabul’s deputy spokesman, Hamdullah Fitrat, alleged that 55 civilians have been killed in Pakistani strikes, including a woman and child in Nangarhar.
• Drone Warfare: While Pakistan uses advanced UAVs for precision strikes, the Taliban have deployed “rudimentary” explosive drones. One such UAV crashed into a government school in Ghalanai (Mohmand) on Sunday; fortunately, no casualties were reported as the school was closed.

No Room for Dialogue

Despite the Taliban signaling a willingness to talk, Islamabad has officially slammed the door on negotiations.

• The Stance: “There won’t be any talks. There’s no dialogue. There’s no negotiation,” stated Mosharraf Zaidi, the PM’s spokesman for foreign media.
• The Demand: Pakistan’s sole requirement remains the “concrete and verifiable” elimination of Fitna al-Khawarij (TTP) hideouts on Afghan soil.

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