Afghanistan Says It Repelled Pakistani Airstrike on Bagram as Border War Deepens
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March 2, 2026
Afghan authorities reported on Sunday that they successfully repelled an attempted Pakistani airstrike on the Bagram Air Base, the former United States military stronghold north of Kabul, as cross‑border warfare with Pakistan deepened into its fourth day. The claim reflects a dramatic escalation in tensions between the two neighbours that officials describe as one of the most serious military confrontations in years.
According to Afghan police officials in Parwan province, several Pakistani fighter jets entered Afghan airspace at about 5 a.m. local time and attempted to bomb the airbase and nearby areas. Afghan anti‑aircraft and missile defence systems reportedly intercepted and drove off the aircraft before they could strike their targets. Kabul offered no evidence of damage to the base, and there was no immediate confirmation from Pakistani authorities regarding the incident.
Conflict Escalates Along Durand Line
The clash at Bagram comes amid fierce fighting along the Durand Line, the long contested border separating Pakistan and Afghanistan, where repeated skirmishes have erupted in recent days. The current cycle of violence began when Afghan forces launched a large cross‑border operation on Thursday night — what they say was in retaliation for Pakistani air raids in eastern provinces that Kabul claims killed civilians and targeted non‑militant areas. Pakistan, in turn, has insisted its military strikes were aimed at militant hideouts linked to the Tehreek‑e‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a group Islamabad blames for persistent attacks on its soil.
Officials in Islamabad have openly described the situation as “open war” between the two countries, a stark departure from years of sporadic border incidents that stopped short of full‑scale engagement. Pakistan’s defence minister has asserted that its military operations are necessary to eliminate militant sanctuaries and secure its borders, while Kabul has condemned the incursions as violations of sovereignty and international law.
Bagram’s Strategic and Symbolic Importance
Bagram Air Base holds both strategic and symbolic significance. It served as the principal U.S. military hub in Afghanistan during the two‑decade war, hosting thousands of troops and critical infrastructure before the American withdrawal in 2021. Since then, the base has remained under the control of Afghanistan’s Taliban‑led government and continues to be viewed as a military asset.
That status may be part of what made it a target in the latest round of escalation. Analysts suggest that targeting such a major site — even if only through attempted strikes — indicates how far the confrontation has advanced beyond isolated border exchanges.
Conflicting Casualty Claims and Combat Claims
Claims over battlefield losses have varied sharply. Pakistan has reported striking more than 40 locations across Afghanistan and asserts it has inflicted heavy losses on opposing forces. Afghan officials have rejected these figures, accusing Islamabad of overstating its success and underreporting Pakistani casualties. Independent verification of either side’s figures is limited due to restricted access for international observers.
Beyond battlefield figures, both sides have accused the other of targeting civilian infrastructure. Kabul has claimed civilian deaths from cross‑border fire and shelling, while Pakistan maintains its operations focus strictly on militant targets.
Regional Response and Implications
The growing conflict has alarmed international actors and neighbouring states alike, with concerns rising that sustained hostilities could destabilize the broader South Asian region. United Nations diplomats and mediators from countries such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar have urged restraint and attempted to facilitate conversations toward a ceasefire, but so far these efforts have failed to halt the fighting.
The presence of other militant groups in the wider region — including **al‑Qaida and the Islamic State’s Khorasan affiliate — complicates the security landscape further, as instability along the border may provide space for such groups to exploit gaps in governance and security.
Outlook and Next Moves
With mutual accusations of aggression, claims of heavy losses, and continued exchanges of fire, analysts warn that the escalation could continue unless decisive diplomatic pressure intervenes. Both governments face internal and external pressure to protect their territories, but cross‑border warfare stretches resources and raises the spectre of broader regional involvement.
Despite repeated calls for ceasefire talks and outside mediation, the latest clashes suggest that negotiations remain elusive. For now, the conflict at Bagram and beyond is emblematic of a deeper, unresolved security crisis between Pakistan and Afghanistan — one with no clear end in sight.
