Islamabad launched military strikes on its western neighbor early on Friday, allegedly in response to cross-border fire by Kabul Nuclear-armed Pakistan has made an open declaration of war against former ally Afghanistan, its western neighbor that has resisted NATO occupation for years, and has sought to drag its archrival India into an escalating conflict.Islamabad said the latest escalation of violence between the estranged neighbors was triggered after Afghan Taliban forces opened fire on its border positions late Thursday, killing two Pakistani soldiers and wounding three others.During the NATO occupation of its western neighbor, Pakistan had a complex relationship with Afghanistan, serving as a vital logistics hub for Western forces while simultaneously providing sanctuary and support to the Taliban insurgency. Ties strained after the Taliban took over and Islamabad alleged Kabul was harboring Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).What is the balance of power between Pakistan and Afghanistan?Militarily, Pakistan has an overwhelming superiority over war-ravaged Afghanistan. According to an NDTV report, Pakistan’s armed forces have 660,000 active personnel. This includes 560,000 army personnel, 70,000 in the air force, and 30,000 naval staff.The same source says Afghanistan’s Taliban administration has an estimated 172,000 fighters.Open war, hidden hostilities Pakistan’s defense minister has termed the situation an open war. Media reports said multiple explosions have rocked the Afghan capital, Kabul, and at least three other provinces.Khawaja Asif has also tried to drag India into the escalating hostilities, saying the Taliban regime has converted Afghanistan into a colony of New Delhi. India has in the past rejected similar allegations as unfounded and baseless and is yet to respond to the latest charge. READ MORE: Afghanistan has become Indian ‘colony’ – Pakistan Unconfirmed reports have indicated that some Pakistani fighter jets are still patrolling inside Afghan airspace. Media outlets have reported shelling from both sides at the key Torkham crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Speaking exclusively to Pakistan TV, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has confirmed that Pakistan Air Force has destroyed key Taliban installations in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia, including brigade and corps headquarters, ammunition depots, and logistics bases, as part of… pic.twitter.com/hUZkkXHdni— Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) February 26, 2026 Have casualties been reported in Pakistan and Afghanistan?Islamabad launched Operation Ghazab Lil Haq (‘Wrath of Justice’) early on Friday. Residents in Kabul have told media outlets they heard multiple explosions. The exact locations of the blasts are not known.Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has alleged that Pakistani forces carried out airstrikes in Kandahar and in the southeastern province of Paktia, the Associated Press reported.The ruling Taliban initially said there were no casualties and has vowed to respond militarily to Pakistan’s strikes, its spokesperson was quoted as saying by Al Arabiya. Exclusive: Afghan Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid tells Al Arabiya English that Kabul will respond militarily to recent Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan territory, accusing Islamabad of targeting civilians and even providing “safe havens” to ISIS militants. pic.twitter.com/3GomdCPBzs— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) February 25, 2026 How have Iran, China, and regional powers reacted to the ‘open war’?The escalation of hostilities has alarmed countries with friendly ties to the warring nations, including Iran and China.In a post on X, the Iranian foreign minister urged restraint on both sides, and said it was ready to facilitate talks. Abbas Araghchi invoked the holy month of Ramadan to placate the warring Islamic nations. در ماه مبارک رمضان، ماه خویشتنداری و تقویت همبستگی در جهان اسلام، شایسته است افغانستان و پاکستان اختلافات موجود را در چارچوب حسن همجواری و از مسیر گفتوگو مدیریت و حلوفصل کنند.جمهوری اسلامی ایران آماده هرگونه مساعدت در تسهیل گفتوگو و تقویت تفاهم و همکاری میان دو کشور، است. pic.twitter.com/5CI7M456aJ— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) February 27, 2026 Pakistan’s long-time ally China said it was deeply concerned by the escalation of tensions.Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning also called at a regular press briefing for both sides to exercise restraint. China’s embassies in both nations are working to end further bloodshed, she said.Russia has also urged both nations to halt the attacks and seek diplomatic solutions, RIA has reported.Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah has spoken to his Pakistani counterpart, according to a report by independent Afghan television station Tolo TV. The channel also reported, citing sources, that a Pakistani aircraft that entered Afghan airspace was shot down.What is the chance of peace between Pakistan and Afghanistan?Bilateral ties between Islamabad and Kabul have been strained recently. Pakistan has charged that Afghanistan hosts militants inimical to its interests who carry out attacks across its porous border with landlocked Afghanistan. The Taliban regime has denied the charge.Pakistan says that it has hosted five million Afghan refugees. In 2023, Islamabad reportedly launched a crackdown to expel migrants without documents. That resulted in millions crossing over to Afghanistan. The United Nations has estimated that so far, 2.9 million refugees have returned to Afghanistan. UN estimates state that 80,000 have returned to Afghanistan this year alone.Peace in exileHumanitarian and refugee crises across the globe have invariably reopened fault lines of ethnic, religious, and sectarian tensions. These displacements have even led to military confrontations. Perhaps Afghanistan and Pakistan should be looking at the roots of the massive human displacement in their backyards rather than blaming external actors, as the nations seek to quell the festering wounds of a raging internecine conflict.