US backs Pakistan’s right to self-defence as fighting with Afghan Taliban enters third day

Fighting between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban entered its third day on February 28, following overnight clashes, as the international community expressed growing concern and called for urgent talks.

Pakistan launched strikes on Taliban military installations and posts, including in Kabul and Kandahar, in one of the deepest incursions into its western neighbour in years, officials said. Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers indicated on February 27 that they were willing to negotiate after Pakistan bombed their forces in major cities, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Islamabad accuses the Taliban of harboring Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, who it says are waging an insurgency inside Pakistan—a claim the Taliban denies. Pakistan described its actions as a response to cross-border assaults, while Kabul denounced them as a breach of sovereignty, saying it remained open to dialogue but warned that any wider conflict would have serious consequences.

The fighting has heightened fears of a protracted conflict along the rugged 2,600-kilometre frontier.

Diplomatic efforts intensified on February 27, as Afghanistan said Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi spoke by telephone with Saudi Arabia’s Prince Faisal bin Farhan about reducing tensions and keeping diplomatic channels open.

The European Union called for both sides to de-escalate and engage in dialogue, while the United Nations urged an immediate end to hostilities. Russia also urged both sides to halt clashes and return to talks, and China said it was “deeply concerned” and ready to help ease tensions.

Meanwhile, the United States voiced support for Pakistan. A State Department spokesperson said: “The United States supports Pakistan's right to defend itself against attacks from the Taliban, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist group.”

U.S. diplomat Allison Hooker also noted on X that she spoke on February 27 with Pakistan Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch.

Spoke today with Pakistan Foreign Secretary Baloch to express condolences for lives lost in the recent conflict between Pakistan and the Taliban. We continue to monitor the situation closely and expressed support for Pakistan’s right to defend itself against Taliban attacks.

— Allison M. Hooker (@UnderSecStateP) February 27, 2026

A U.S. official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, added that Washington did not view Pakistan as the aggressor in the latest escalation and said Islamabad faced pressure to address its security challenges, expressing hope that the situation would not escalate further. 

Both sides have reported heavy losses, though tolls are conflicting and could not be independently verified. Pakistan said 12 of its soldiers and 274 Taliban fighters were killed, while the Taliban reported 13 of its fighters and 55 Pakistani soldiers dead. Taliban deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said 19 civilians were killed and 26 wounded in Khost and Paktika.

Pakistan is nuclear-armed and possesses military capabilities far superior to Afghanistan’s. Its standing army numbers in the hundreds of thousands and it maintains a modern air force. By contrast, the Taliban lack a conventional air force and rely mainly on light weaponry and ground forces, honed through decades of guerrilla warfare before returning to power in 2021 following the U.S. withdrawal.

By Sabina Mammadli