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Taliban fighter sit next to an anti-aircraft gun while on lookout for Pakistan's fighter jets, in Khost province, Afghanistan, on Friday [Reuters]
By Lyndal Rowlands, Edna Mohamed and Federica Marsi
Published On 28 Feb 2026

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28 Feb 2026 - 13:54
 (13:54 GMT)
Houthi

New missile interceptions seen in Doha

A fresh round of explosions could be heard in the Qatari capital, Doha.

An Al Jazeera reporter counted at least five.

White trails could be seen in the sky suggesting they were intercepted.

28 Feb 2026 - 07:00
 (07:00 GMT)

Thank you for joining us

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You can continue to follow our coverage of tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan here.

28 Feb 2026 - 06:55
 (06:55 GMT)

Here’s what happened today

  • Taliban official Zakir Jalali said Afghanistan was engaged in “active diplomacy” in parallel to “legitimate and responsible” military action.
  • Mosharraf Zaidi, spokesperson for Pakistani prime minister said “there won’t be any talks and that “terrorism from Afghanistan has to end.”
  • Pakistan imposed a state of emergency in the Bannu district of its Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
  • The Council of Europe and several countries urged both Pakistan and Afghanistan to de-escalate and engage in diplomacy.
  • Asked about the conflict, Trump praised Pakistan and its leaders, saying the country was doing “terrifically well.”
  • UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the UN was concerned about an incident near a crossing used by Afghan refugees returning to Afghanistan from Pakistan and that fighting would worsen Afghanistan’s already serious humanitarian situation.
28 Feb 2026 - 06:50
 (06:50 GMT)

At least nine civilians killed in Afghanistan’s Asadabad city: Report

At least nine civilians have been killed and four others injured after Pakistani forces shot at residential homes in the central area of Asadabad city in eastern Afghanistan’s Kunar province.

That’s according to local sources speaking to Afghanistan’s TOLOnews outlet.

28 Feb 2026 - 06:45
 (06:45 GMT)

Afghan media reports Pakistani jet shot down, pilot captured

Afghanistan’s TOLOnews outlet is reporting that a Pakistani jet has been shot down in the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar.

It added that a pilot had been captured alive, according to sources. Al Jazeera was unable to independently verify the report.

28 Feb 2026 - 06:30
 (06:30 GMT)

State of emergency declared in Bannu district of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province

Pakistan has imposed a state of emergency in the Bannu district of its Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, restricting the use of certain vehicles after police forces said there were credible reports of potential sabotage involving the vehicles, according to the country’s Dawn news outlet.

District Education Officer Abdul Malik also announced a one-day closure of all government schools to ensure public safety.

Meanwhile, Bannu police directed police stations to remain on high alert and ramp up security measures.

According to District Police Officer Bannu, Yasir Afridi, six attacks throughout the city were successfully foiled and Afghan advances were prevented at the Kashoo Bridge police checkpoint and in the Kotka Muhammad Khan Domel area.

The district administration and police have called on residents to avoid spreading rumours, cooperate with security agencies and follow official directives to avoid any incidents.

28 Feb 2026 - 06:15
 (06:15 GMT)

Afghanistan engaged in ‘active diplomacy’ alongside military action, Foreign Ministry says

Zakir Jalali, the second political director of Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry, has said “active diplomacy” is being pursued in parallel to “legitimate and responsible” military action.

Afghanistan’s TOLOnews outlet quoted Jalali as saying that “detailed” consultations were held with the foreign ministers of Turkiye, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, during which Afghanistan’s officials made their position clear.

28 Feb 2026 - 06:00
 (06:00 GMT)

‘No dialogue’: Pakistani spokesperson rejects talks with Afghanistan

Mosharraf Zaidi, the Pakistani prime minister’s spokesperson for foreign media, has rejected suggestions of talks with Afghanistan after Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid told a news conference on Friday that his country was open to resolving the tensions.

“There won’t be any talks. There’s no dialogue. There’s no negotiation. Terrorism from Afghanistan has to end,” Zaidi told Pakistan TV, stressing that Pakistan’s responsibility was limited to protecting its citizens and territory.

“If we know that there’s a terrorist at point A and there’s a terrorist enabler at point A, we will find a weapon to land at point A and eliminate the threat,” Zaidi said.

He added that the responsibility for reducing instability lies not only with Afghanistan but also with the international community, which must ensure that Afghan soil is not used for cross-border attacks.

28 Feb 2026 - 05:45
 (05:45 GMT)
Infographic

Pakistan-Afghanistan: Military head-to-head

28 Feb 2026 - 05:30
 (05:30 GMT)

If you’re just joining us

Here’s what you need to know:

  • Afghanistan’s TOLOnews reported Taliban forces launched drone attacks on Pakistani military camps in Miranshah and Spinwam.
  • Pakistan TV reported Pakistani forces attacked several Taliban posts.
  • Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud discussed de-escalation efforts with his Afghan counterpart, Amir Khan Muttaqi.
  • The UAE’s Foreign Ministry has also called for de-escalation.
  • Jordan’s Foreign Ministry said it supported all diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts peacefully.
  • The Council of the European Union called for an immediate end to hostilities, warning that the conflict could have regional repercussions.
28 Feb 2026 - 05:10
 (05:10 GMT)

More than 330 Taliban fighters killed in Afghanistan, Pakistani minister claims

Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has shared an update claiming that Pakistan has killed more Taliban fighters.

Al Jazeera was unable to verify the details of Tarar’s latest update.

According to Tarar, 331 Afghan Taliban fighters have now been killed and more than 500 injured.

The minister also said that Pakistani forces had destroyed 104 Taliban checkpoints, 163 tanks and armoured vehicles, and captured a further 22 checkpoints.

28 Feb 2026 - 04:50
 (04:50 GMT)
Explainer

Why are Afghanistan and Pakistan fighting?

By Sarah Shamim and Elizabeth Melimopoulos

Pakistan launched air strikes on Kabul and other Afghan cities, as clashes escalated along the two countries’ shared border.

On Friday, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Islamabad’s patience had run out with the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan, declaring that the two countries were now in “open war”.

The declaration came hours after Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah ⁠Mujahid said Afghanistan was carrying out “large-scale offensive operations” against the Pakistani military along the Durand Line, which separates the two countries.

Read our explainer here on what is going on.

A Pakistani soldier stands guard at a deserted entry point at the Friendship Gate, following the exchanges of fire between Pakistan and Afghanistan forces, at the border crossing between the two countries, in Chaman, Pakistan, on Friday [Abdul Khaliq Achakzai/Reuters]
28 Feb 2026 - 04:30
 (04:30 GMT)

US Mission to Pakistan advises caution due to ‘heightened tensions’

The United States Mission to Pakistan has issued an advisory to US citizens the country in light of “heightened tensions” with neighbouring Afghanistan.

The mission advised US citizens to “exercise caution” near “law enforcement facilities, military installations, and major commercial centres”, as it said these were “likely targets for terrorist organisations”.

As we reported earlier, the US mission in Afghanistan reminded its citizens that the country remains at a “Do Not Travel” level 4, due to ongoing risks.

28 Feb 2026 - 04:10
 (04:10 GMT)

Pakistan state TV claims more Taliban military posts attacked

Pakistani state media outlet Pakistan TV has reported that the country’s armed forces continued attacks on a number of Afghan Taliban locations in recent hours.

According to Pakistan TV, locations attacked include:

  • Aala Jirga Thana military post in Qila Saifullah sector.
  • Rahim Thana post in Qila Saifullah sector.
  • Shaga post in the Azam Warsak sector.
  • Posts in the Khyber, Omari and the Noshki sectors.
28 Feb 2026 - 03:50
 (03:50 GMT)

Afghan, Saudi top diplomats discuss border tensions

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud has held a call with his Afghan counterpart, Amir Khan Muttaqi.

A statement from the Foreign Ministry in Riyadh said the two discussed recent regional developments and efforts to de-escalate tensions to achieve regional security and stability.

As we reported earlier, the Saudi minister spoke with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday.

28 Feb 2026 - 03:30
 (03:30 GMT)

Photos: Returning Afghan refugees wait near border amid attacks

Afghan refugees returning home sit in an open field near the Torkham border crossing in Nangarhar province on Thursday [Aimal Zahir/AFP]
The refugees returning from Pakistan escaped overnight Pakistani mortar shelling at a makeshift camp, according to AFP [Aimal Zahir/AFP]
People stand by a makeshift shelter near the Torkham border between Afghanistan and Pakistan on Friday [Abdul Majeed/AFP]

28 Feb 2026 - 03:10
 (03:10 GMT)

UAE expresses concern over renewed military clashes

The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs has shared a statement calling for de-escalation between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The ministry stressed the need to prioritise reason and wisdom, and to adopt diplomatic means to resolve differences to strengthen security and stability in South Asia.

It also said the UAE was ready to support dialogue and building trust between the two sides, and to support achieving peace and development for the people of both countries.

28 Feb 2026 - 02:50
 (02:50 GMT)

Jordan expresses support for diplomatic efforts to end fighting

Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that it is following with concern the border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, noting that a number of people have been killed and injured.

The ministry’s spokesperson Fuad al-Majali said in a statement that Jordan supports all diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving conflicts and disputes through peaceful means.

Jordan also stressed the need for restraint, dialogue, respect for the sovereignty of states and the principles of good neighbourliness, al-Majali said.

You can read more about how countries around the world have reacted to the latest violence here.

28 Feb 2026 - 02:30
 (02:30 GMT)

Photos: Homes, mosque damaged in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

A boy looks through a damaged house following overnight cross-border fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, on Friday [Fazal Rahman/AFP]
Residents gather for Friday prayers inside a mosque damaged during fighting in Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, on Friday [Fazal Rahman/AFP]
A view through the roof of the damaged mosque [Fazal Rahman/AFP]

28 Feb 2026 - 02:10
 (02:10 GMT)

Afghan media reports Taliban attacked Pakistani military camps

Afghanistan’s TOLOnews outlet is reporting that Taliban forces launched drone attacks on Pakistani military camps in Miranshah and Spinwam, in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region.

According to TOLOnews, which cited unnamed security sources, a fire broke out at the Spinwam base following the attack.

The security source told TOLOnews that the attacks were in retaliation for the Pakistani air force attacks on Thursday night.