Afghanistan's Ministry of Defense warned on February 22, 2026, at approximately 4:00-5:00 AM UTC that it will deliver a timely, calculated response to Pakistan's recent military attacks on provinces of Paktika and Nangarhar, according to a statement reported by Khorasan Diary on X during the reporting window from 3:15 AM to 5:15 AM UTC. The ministry specifically referenced Pakistan's airstrikes on seven Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and ISIS-Khorasan (IS-K) hideouts in these provinces overnight into February 22, which Pakistan confirmed as retaliation for recent suicide bombings, building on reports from Osinteurope and Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting cited in prior coverage. The Taliban previously reported dozens killed and wounded, including civilians, with border firing along the Durand Line. This new warning echoes the ministry's earlier statement during the prior reporting window, where it affirmed border protection and citizen security as a Sharia and national responsibility, promising an appropriate response at the appropriate time, as posted by EnayatKhowarazm on X.
