On February 27, 2026, the Pakistan Air Force conducted airstrikes on Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, prompting Taliban officials to claim they repelled the attacking jets with anti-aircraft fire, sustaining no damage. Satellite imagery published by The New York Times revealed a hangar and two warehouses destroyed at the northern end of the base, which features Afghanistan’s longest runway at 11,800 feet and served as the primary U.S. hub during the 20-year war until the 2021 withdrawal.
Pakistani officials confirmed the strike targeted military supplies and equipment, describing it as part of an ‘open war’ declared by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif following Afghanistan’s retaliatory drone attacks and border clashes on February 26. The Bagram assault marked a significant escalation after Pakistan’s initial February 21 airstrikes on Nangarhar, Paktika, and Khost provinces, aimed at seven militant camps linked to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), in response to attacks in Islamabad, Bajaur, and Bannu.
Afghanistan’s defence ministry labeled the Bagram incident an ‘aerial assault,’ while residents reported explosions around 6 a.m. and jet noises. Additional Pakistani strikes hit Paktika and Laghman provinces that day, targeting a Taliban base and the 201 Khalid Ibn Walid Corps. Fighting persisted along the Durand Line, including Spin Boldak and Mohmand district, amid mutual accusations of harboring militants.
Taliban fighters patrolled the Torkham border, with one stating readiness to defend the country. Pakistan maintains the Taliban government shelters TTP, which Afghan officials deny.