ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Air Force fighter jets targeted Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan early on Sunday morning, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing military confrontation between the two neighbouring countries.
Reports from Afghan sources indicate that three Pakistani aircraft conducted the operation late on Saturday night or around dawn on Sunday, with explosions heard in the Parwan province area surrounding the base.
The strike comes amid intensified cross-border clashes that entered their fourth day, following Pakistan’s declaration of an “open war” against the Taliban-led Afghan government.
Afghan authorities in Parwan province stated that multiple Pakistani military jets entered Afghan airspace and attempted to bomb Bagram Air Base around 5:00 a.m. local time.
Local sources in Parwan, however, reported hearing several powerful explosions near the airfield, suggesting possible impacts despite official Taliban denials of successful hits.
Bagram Air Base, once the largest US military installation in Afghanistan with extensive runways and infrastructure, has been under Taliban control since the 2021 withdrawal of American forces.
The base has reportedly been used for various military purposes by the current Afghan administration, including storage of equipment and potential drone operations.
Pakistan has accused the Taliban of harbouring Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, who launch attacks into Pakistani territory from Afghan soil.
Islamabad maintains that its operations are intelligence-based and selective, aimed at dismantling militant hideouts and reducing cross-border threats.
The conflict intensified after earlier Pakistani airstrikes in late February targeted alleged TTP and Islamic State-Khorasan Province positions in eastern Afghan provinces such as Nangarhar and Paktika.
Those strikes reportedly killed dozens according to Pakistani claims, while Afghan sources reported civilian casualties and condemned the actions as violations of sovereignty.
In retaliation, Afghan forces launched cross-border attacks on Pakistani positions, prompting further Pakistani responses including the latest operation involving Bagram.
Defence analysts note that targeting Bagram represents a shift toward higher-profile sites, potentially aimed at degrading Taliban military capabilities.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister has previously stated that over 400 Afghan fighters were eliminated and 46 locations hit in recent operations, underscoring the scale of the campaign.
The Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed sightings of Pakistani aircraft over Kabul and described defensive fire against them.
No immediate official confirmation or detailed casualty figures have emerged from Pakistani military sources regarding the Bagram operation.
The incident has raised international concerns over regional stability, particularly given the presence of other militant groups in the area.
The United Nations and several countries have called for de-escalation to prevent a full-scale war between the nuclear-armed Pakistan and its western neighbour.
Border skirmishes have displaced communities along the Durand Line, with reports of civilian hardships in affected districts.
Military observers suggest that the use of fighter jets for such deep strikes highlights advanced capabilities of the Pakistan Air Force in precision operations.
The escalation follows months of tit-for-tat accusations, border closures, and failed diplomatic efforts to address militant sanctuaries.
Both sides continue to exchange fire along multiple border sectors, with artillery and small arms engagements reported daily.
The targeting of Bagram underscores the strategic importance Islamabad attaches to neutralizing perceived threats originating from Afghan territory.
As the situation develops, diplomatic channels remain strained, with limited prospects for immediate talks.
The international community watches closely, wary of broader implications for counter-terrorism efforts in the region.