Image: from Political Base Abdul Maroof Azadmanish X @PoliticalBaseMA
KABUL – The fragile peace in the Afghan capital was shattered overnight as Pakistani fighter jets launched a series of airstrikes, killing at least four people and wounding 15 others. The strikes, which targeted residential areas in Kabul and several eastern border provinces, mark a significant escalation in the ongoing “open war” between the neighboring nations.
Pakistan must immediately stop its war of aggression in Afghanistan. The Pakistani airforce conducted a major strike on Kam Air facilities in Kandahar destroying it completely. This is the only functional airline in Afghanistan flying civilians in and out of the country.
The… pic.twitter.com/Yrji9OEjgm— Sami Sadat (@SayedSamiSadat) March 13, 2026
Midnight Bombardment
According to Khalil Zadran, a spokesperson for the Kabul police, the bombardment hit private homes in the heart of the capital during the early hours of Friday. Residents reported waking to the terrifying sound of low-flying jets and heavy explosions that shook the city for over an hour.
“The planes came and dropped bombs, then flew away,” recounted one witness. “We saw plumes of black smoke rising over the city. It was horrifying.”
While Afghan authorities reported civilian casualties, a Pakistani security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the strikes were “intelligence-based operations” aimed at neutralizing high-value targets belonging to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
A Conflict Ignited
The latest round of hostilities follows a month of intensifying violence. Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Taliban-led government in Kabul of providing a haven for TTP militants, who have carried out a surge of deadly attacks inside Pakistan, including recent bombings in Islamabad, Bajaur, and Bannu.
The Taliban government has consistently denied these allegations, calling the strikes a “blatant violation of Afghanistan’s territorial integrity.” In a statement, the Afghan Ministry of Defense warned that Pakistan would be held responsible and that a “measured and appropriate response” would follow.
Humanitarian Toll
The human cost of the conflict continues to mount. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) recently reported that over 56 civilians, including 24 children, have been killed in Pakistani military operations since late February. The UN refugee agency estimates that nearly 115,000 people have been displaced from border regions as families flee the crossfire.
Diplomatic efforts by regional players, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have so far failed to secure a ceasefire. With Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif declaring an “open war,” the prospect of de-escalation appears increasingly remote.
Global Concern
The international community has watched the deteriorating situation with growing alarm. Analysts note that this campaign represents a shift in Pakistani strategy, as airstrikes are now targeting major Afghan urban centers and government facilities rather than just remote militant hideouts.
As Ramadan continues, the sound of artillery and the sight of fighter jets have replaced the traditional peace of the holy month for many along the 2,600-kilometer border. For the people of Kabul, the night sky now holds a threat that few expected to see return so soon.