Pakistan bombs targets in Afghan cities, minister calls it 'open war'

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26 Feb, 18:02 — 27 Feb, 09:12

Excellent (80/100)

8 sourcesModerate spread7 regions

Post Share

Why this matters

This story signifies a major military escalation between Pakistan and Afghanistan, two nuclear-armed neighbors, with a Pakistani minister explicitly declaring 'open war.' This conflict could destabilize the region, impact the Taliban government's control, and potentially draw in other regional or international actors, raising concerns about broader security implications.

Perspective Analysis

AI-generated comparison of how 8 sources cover this story

News outlets widely report that Pakistan bombed targets in Afghan cities overnight, with a Pakistani minister declaring it 'open war' with Afghanistan. While most sources confirm the bombings and the minister's statement, one outlet provides significantly more detail regarding specific targets, alleged casualty figures, and the context of retaliation for prior Afghan strikes.

Political spectrum

LeftCenterRight

yle-uutiset

bloomberg

mkd-mk

delfi-lt

times-india

straits-times

irish-independent

Outlet rating This story

SourceOutletiGeneral editorial lean of the outletStoryiHow they covered this specific storyTone

yle-uutisetcentercenter-leftneutralreports facts without overt bias

bloombergcentercenter-leftneutralreports official statements and economic implications

APcentercenter-leftneutralfocus on official statements

mkd-mk

Coverage leans: balanced

The overall coverage is balanced, primarily reporting official statements and events without significant political framing, though some outlets provide more detail or context from one side.

What sources agree on

Pakistan conducted overnight airstrikes in Afghan cities.
A Pakistani minister declared the conflict with Afghanistan to be 'open war'.

Where they diverge

Specific details of the targets and alleged reasons for the strikes

mkd-mkdelfi-ltyle-uutisetirish-independentbloomberg+2 moreAPstraits-times

These outlets generally report bombings in Afghan cities or Kabul, sometimes mentioning 'Taliban authority' targets, without extensive detail on specific military installations or the immediate cause.

Times of India

This outlet provides specific details, claiming targets included 'Taliban military posts, HQs, ammo depots' and stating the strikes were 'in retaliation for Afghan strikes that reportedly killed 55 Pakistani troops'.

Key claims2 agreed · 3 unverified

✓

Pakistan launched overnight airstrikes in Afghanistan.

agreed·mkd-mkdelfi-ltyle-uutisetTimes of Indiairish-independent+3

✓

A Pakistani minister declared 'open war' with Afghanistan.

agreed·mkd-mkdelfi-ltTimes of India

Coverage gaps

Claims of 133 killed in Pakistani strikes and 55 Pakistani troops killed in Afghan strikes.

ReportedTimes of India

Missingmkd-mkdelfi-ltyle-uutiset+4

Specific targets like Taliban military posts, HQs, and ammo depots.

ReportedTimes of India

Missingmkd-mkdelfi-ltyle-uutiset+4

The context that Pakistan's strikes were in retaliation for prior Afghan strikes.

ReportedTimes of India

Missing

Perspective Analysis

Comparing sources…

Story evolution

The narrative shifted from general reports of military action and a declaration of war to more detailed accounts, including specific targets and alleged justifications from the Pakistani side.

Initial Reports of ConflictFeb 26 evening - Feb 27 early morning

Early articles confirm Pakistan's overnight bombings and the 'open war' declaration by a Pakistani minister, focusing on the immediate event.

Emergence of Specific DetailsFeb 27 morning

Later articles begin to include more specific claims regarding targets, alleged casualty figures, and the context of the strikes as retaliation.

How outlets covered this

Left-leaning

No articles

'Now it is open war': Taliban military posts, HQs, ammo depots hit; details of Pakistan strikes on Afghanistan

irish-independent

Pakistan bombs targets in Afghan cities, minister calls it 'open war'

bloomberg

Pakistan Says It’s in ‘Open War’ With Afghanistan After Clashes - Bloomberg.com

Pakistan’s defense minister says that there is now 'open war' with Afghanistan after latest strikes - AP News

straits-times

Pakistan bombs Kabul in ‘open war’ on Afghanistan’s Taliban government - The Straits Times

Right-leaning

No articles

Key entities

Pakistancountry conducting airstrikes Afghanistancountry targeted by airstrikes Talibangoverning authority in Afghanistan, target of strikes Pakistani Minister of Defenseofficial declaring 'open war'

Coverage Timeline

First report: straits-times · 26 Feb, 18:02|Full coverage: All 8 sources within 15h|Window: 15h

Left-leaningCenterRight-leaning

straits-times26 Feb, 18:02First to report

Pakistan bombs Kabul in ‘open war’ on Afghanistan’s Taliban government - The Straits Times

12h later

AP27 Feb, 05:35

Pakistan’s defense minister says that there is now 'open war' with Afghanistan after latest strikes - AP News

bloomberg27 Feb, 06:02

Pakistan Says It’s in ‘Open War’ With Afghanistan After Clashes - Bloomberg.com

1h later

irish-independent27 Feb, 07:10

Pakistan bombs targets in Afghan cities, minister calls it 'open war'

Times of India27 Feb, 08:00

'Now it is open war': Taliban military posts, HQs, ammo depots hit; details of Pakistan strikes on Afghanistan

yle-uutiset27 Feb, 08:36

Pakistan pommitti Kabulia ja muita Afganistanin kaupunkeja

delfi-lt27 Feb, 08:53

Kabului smogęs Pakistanas skelbia „atvirą karą“ Talibanui

mkd-mk27 Feb, 09:12Latest update

Пакистан бомбардираше цели во Авганистан: „Во отворена војна сме“ (ВИДЕО)

Read at source (8 outlets)

mkd-mk1h ago

Пакистан бомбардираше цели во Авганистан: „Во отворена војна сме“ (ВИДЕО)

Пакистан во текот на ноќта бомбардираше цели на талибанската власт во најголемите градови на Авганистан, соопштија претставници на двете земји, а пакистанскиот министер за одбрана конфликтот го нарече „отворена војна“. Terrorists must no longer sleep peacefully at night. pic.twitter.com/4fVUZOH0VY — Political Base Abdul Maroof Azadmanish (@PoliticalBaseMA) February 26, 2026 Безбедносни извори во Пакистан наведоа дека […] The post Пакистан бомбардираше цели во Авганистан: „Во отворена војна см...

By ruzica

Read full article →

delfi-lt1h ago

Kabului smogęs Pakistanas skelbia „atvirą karą“ Talibanui

Penktadienio rytas Pietų Azijoje prasidėjo didėjančia įtampa tarp Pakistano ir Afganistano.

Read full article →

yle-uutiset2h ago

Pakistan pommitti Kabulia ja muita Afganistanin kaupunkeja

Read full article →

Times of India2h ago

'Now it is open war': Taliban military posts, HQs, ammo depots hit; details of Pakistan strikes on Afghanistan

Pakistan launched overnight airstrikes in Afghanistan, claiming 133 killed in retaliation for Afghan strikes that reportedly killed 55 Pakistani troops. The military escalation, involving bombing key cities and targeting Afghan military facilities, casts uncertainty over peace efforts. Both sides presented conflicting casualty figures amidst ongoing border tensions.

By TOI World Desk

Read full article →

irish-independent3h ago

Pakistan bombs targets in Afghan cities, minister calls it 'open war'

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Read full article →

bloomberg4h ago

Pakistan Says It’s in ‘Open War’ With Afghanistan After Clashes - Bloomberg.com

Pakistan Says It’s in ‘Open War’ With Afghanistan After Clashes Bloomberg.com

Read full article →

AP5h ago

Pakistan’s defense minister says that there is now 'open war' with Afghanistan after latest strikes - AP News

Pakistan’s defense minister says that there is now 'open war' with Afghanistan after latest strikes AP News

Read full article →

straits-times16h ago

Pakistan bombs Kabul in ‘open war’ on Afghanistan’s Taliban government - The Straits Times

Pakistan bombs Kabul in ‘open war’ on Afghanistan’s Taliban government The Straits Times

Read full article →

Pakistan bombs targets in Afghan cities, minister calls it 'open war'

Why this matters

Perspective Analysis

Political spectrum

What sources agree on

Where they diverge

Key claims2 agreed · 3 unverified

Coverage gaps

Perspective Analysis

Story evolution

How outlets covered this

Left-leaning

Center

Пакистан бомбардираше цели во Авганистан: „Во отворена војна сме“ (ВИДЕО)

Kabului smogęs Pakistanas skelbia „atvirą karą“ Talibanui

Pakistan pommitti Kabulia ja muita Afganistanin kaupunkeja

'Now it is open war': Taliban military posts, HQs, ammo depots hit; details of Pakistan strikes on Afghanistan

Pakistan bombs targets in Afghan cities, minister calls it 'open war'

Pakistan Says It’s in ‘Open War’ With Afghanistan After Clashes - Bloomberg.com

Pakistan’s defense minister says that there is now 'open war' with Afghanistan after latest strikes - AP News

Pakistan bombs Kabul in ‘open war’ on Afghanistan’s Taliban government - The Straits Times

Right-leaning

Key entities

Coverage Timeline

Pakistan bombs Kabul in ‘open war’ on Afghanistan’s Taliban government - The Straits Times

Pakistan’s defense minister says that there is now 'open war' with Afghanistan after latest strikes - AP News

Pakistan Says It’s in ‘Open War’ With Afghanistan After Clashes - Bloomberg.com

Pakistan bombs targets in Afghan cities, minister calls it 'open war'

'Now it is open war': Taliban military posts, HQs, ammo depots hit; details of Pakistan strikes on Afghanistan

Pakistan pommitti Kabulia ja muita Afganistanin kaupunkeja

Kabului smogęs Pakistanas skelbia „atvirą karą“ Talibanui

Пакистан бомбардираше цели во Авганистан: „Во отворена војна сме“ (ВИДЕО)

Read at source (8 outlets)

Пакистан бомбардираше цели во Авганистан: „Во отворена војна сме“ (ВИДЕО)

Kabului smogęs Pakistanas skelbia „atvirą karą“ Talibanui

Pakistan pommitti Kabulia ja muita Afganistanin kaupunkeja

'Now it is open war': Taliban military posts, HQs, ammo depots hit; details of Pakistan strikes on Afghanistan

Pakistan bombs targets in Afghan cities, minister calls it 'open war'

Pakistan Says It’s in ‘Open War’ With Afghanistan After Clashes - Bloomberg.com

Pakistan’s defense minister says that there is now 'open war' with Afghanistan after latest strikes - AP News

Pakistan bombs Kabul in ‘open war’ on Afghanistan’s Taliban government - The Straits Times

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Why this matters

Story evolution

Key entities

Perspective Analysis

Political spectrum

What sources agree on

Where they diverge

Key claims2 agreed · 3 unverified

Coverage gaps

Coverage matrix