Afghanistan and Pakistan exchanged fire across their 2,600-km border for a fifth consecutive day, marking the heaviest fighting between the neighbors in years. Taliban forces launched retaliatory strikes against Pakistani installations after Pakistan targeted militants inside Afghanistan, triggering a cycle of cross-border attacks that has killed dozens on both sides.

Pakistani jets bombed Bagram air base outside Kabul using air-to-ground missiles, while Taliban forces claimed to have destroyed Pakistani military tanks and captured over 25 border posts. Pakistani officials reported destroying ammunition depots and drone storage sites in Khost and Jalalabad, claiming to have killed 435 Afghan troops and destroyed 188 military posts.

The conflict centers on Pakistan's allegations that Afghanistan harbors Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan militants seeking to overthrow the Islamabad government. Despite offers from Qatar and other nations to mediate, neither side has shown willingness to de-escalate. Pakistan's foreign minister stated the dispute involves only one issue: preventing Afghan territory from being used against Pakistan.