The claim that the war between Pakistan and Afghanistan has restarted is true because multiple reliable sources from early 2026 report that Pakistan declared open war on Afghanistan's Taliban government, with ongoing cross-border fighting and airstrikes escalating tensions along their shared border.
True
The war between Pakistan and Afghanistan has restarted.
Why Are the Afghan Taliban and Pakistan in an ‘Open War’? | Council on Foreign Relations
Source: cfr.org
At a glance
Verified June 28, 2026Key Evidence
Pakistan's defense minister publicly declared open war on the Taliban government in February 2026.
nytimes.comnytimes.comNo Clear Endgame in the Conflict Between Afghanistan and Pakistan
cnn.comcnn.comWhy are Pakistan and Afghanistan launching attacks, with Pakistani official...+1 more
There have been repeated Pakistani airstrikes and cross-border shelling targeting Afghan territory.
bbc.combbc.comWhy are Afghanistan and Pakistan fighting?
Multiple international analyses highlight the escalation as a new phase of direct conflict rather than proxy engagements.
cfr.orgcfr.orgWhy Are the Afghan Taliban and Pakistan in an ‘Open War’?
chathamhouse.orgchathamhouse.orgAfghanistan and Pakistan are facing ‘open war’. De-escalation is needed+1 more
The reporting
What the Evidence Shows
Since late February 2026, Pakistan and Afghanistan have been engaged in active hostilities, marking a significant escalation in their long-standing tensions. Pakistan's defense minister publicly declared an 'open war' against the Taliban-led Afghan government, accusing it of harboring militant groups responsible for attacks inside Pakistan. This declaration was followed by Pakistani airstrikes on major Afghan cities and continuous cross-border shelling and mortar fire.
The conflict involves asymmetrical military capabilities but has resulted in deadly exchanges along the approximately 1,600-mile border. Multiple authoritative sources including The New York Times, CNN, The Guardian, BBC, and Council on Foreign Relations confirm these developments. Analysts note this marks a departure from previous proxy conflicts to direct military engagement, raising concerns about regional instability and the potential for prolonged warfare.
While diplomatic efforts for de-escalation have been discussed, no significant reduction in hostilities has been reported as of mid-2026.
Primary trail
Verified Sources10
Open source