In a significant escalation of hostilities, the Pakistani military conducted airstrikes in the Afghan capital Kabul and other Taliban-controlled regions early on the 27th. The Pakistani Defense Minister, Khawaja, declared the situation as 'an open war' on social media, marking a stark development in the longstanding conflict. Reports from Kabul indicate that loud explosions were heard around 2 AM local time, followed by the sound of aircraft, suggesting intense military activity in the area. Local eyewitness accounts and videos on social media showed flames lighting up the night sky, indicating significant destruction.

The airstrikes reportedly targeted military command facilities and weapons depots in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktika, with Pakistani state media affirming the locations of these strikes. Just six hours prior to the airstrikes, the Taliban had launched cross-border attacks from six provinces into Pakistan, allegedly killing 55 Pakistani soldiers amid claims of ongoing tensions between the two entities. Following the Taliban's claims of casualties and their cross-border aggression, the Pakistani military responded with its own aggressive posture, announcing the deaths of 133 Taliban fighters in the retaliatory strikes.

Afghanistan, enduring a protracted civil war where the Taliban originally emerged in the 1990s, has seen complex relations with Pakistan over the years. Historically, the Taliban has exploited the border regions, retreating into Pakistan after being ousted from power in 2001 and continuing insurgency actions against Afghan and U.S. forces. The cycle of violence indicated by recent airstrikes and claims from both sides suggests a worrying escalation of conflict that could have significant regional implications, raising concerns over the humanitarian crisis and security dynamics in an already volatile region.