KABUL — In a major escalation of cross-border hostilities, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence announced on Friday, March 13, 2026, that it has conducted retaliatory drone strikes targeting strategic Pakistani military installations in the Kohat area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The operation specifically targeted the Kohat Military Fort, a vital war command centre located near the Durand Line, causing what Kabul describes as “significant human and material losses.”
The Afghan Ministry of Defence confirmed via social media that the strikes successfully hit the fort’s command centre, ammunition depots, and soldiers’ residential quarters. The office of the fort’s commander reportedly sustained heavy damage during the raid. This move marks one of the most daring aerial operations by the Taliban-led administration since the conflict between the two neighbours intensified earlier this year.
A Cycle of Retaliation
The Afghan drone strikes were launched in direct response to Pakistani artillery fire earlier in the day. According to reports from TOLO News, Pakistani forces targeted the Alisher-Terezai district in Khost province.
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Civilian Toll: The shelling in Khost resulted in the deaths of four members of a single family and left three others injured.
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Aviation Under Fire: Concurrently, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) targeted fuel depots belonging to the private Afghan airline, Kam Air, near Kandahar Airport.
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International Impact: Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid condemned the strike on Kam Air, noting that the facility supplies fuel for both domestic flights and United Nations aircraft operating in the region.
The Durand Line Crisis
The latest exchange is part of a broader surge in military activity along the hypothetical 2,640-kilometre Durand Line. Relations between Kabul and Islamabad have deteriorated sharply since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, primarily over two core issues:
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Border Disputes: Afghanistan has historically refused to recognize the Durand Line as an official international border, leading to frequent skirmishes over fencing and checkpoints.
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Terrorism Allegations: Pakistan has repeatedly demanded that Kabul rein in the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad claims operates from Afghan soil. In turn, Afghanistan has accused Pakistan of violating its sovereignty through repeated airstrikes on its capital and major cities throughout February and March.
As the BLA (Balochistan Liberation Army) and TTP continue to ramp up attacks within Pakistan, the border regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have become active war zones. With both nations now deploying drones and fighter jets against strategic infrastructure, regional analysts warn that the situation is rapidly evolving from localized border friction into a full-scale regional conflict.
