Air attacks on Afghanistan and declaration of war

Pakistan's military has launched air attacks on several major cities of neighboring Afghanistan tonight, including the capital Kabul.

26 Feb, 20:57 — 27 Feb, 02:14

High (71/100)

5 sourcesModerate spread5 regions

Post Share

Why this matters

This story signifies a major escalation in the long-standing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, moving from border skirmishes to declared 'open war' and air attacks. Such a development threatens regional stability, could lead to a wider humanitarian crisis, and has significant geopolitical implications for South Asia and beyond.

Perspective Analysis

AI-generated comparison of how 5 sources cover this story

News outlets report that Pakistan has launched air attacks on Afghanistan, bombing cities including Kabul, and declared 'open war' following border clashes. While all sources confirm the military action and declaration, some outlets emphasize Pakistan's justification for the attacks as a response to Afghan aggression, while others focus on the immediate impact.

Political spectrum

LeftCenterRight

aljazeera

express-tribune

channel-news-asia

ndtv

morgunbladid

Outlet rating This story

SourceOutletiGeneral editorial lean of the outletStoryiHow they covered this specific storyTone

Al Jazeeracenter-leftcenter-lefturgentreporting immediate impact, correspondent's view

express-tribunecenterrightanalyticalpro-Pakistan government narrative, justifying response

channel-news-asiacentercenter-righturgentframes Pakistan's actions as retaliatory

Coverage leans: center-right

The overall coverage leans center-right, with several outlets framing Pakistan's military actions as a justified response to Afghan aggression or border attacks. This perspective aligns with the Pakistani government's narrative.

What sources agree on

Pakistan has launched air attacks on Afghanistan.
Kabul was among the cities targeted by Pakistani air strikes.
Pakistan has declared 'open war' on Afghanistan.
The Pakistani military actions followed renewed clashes or aggression along the shared border.

Where they diverge

The explicit cause or justification for Pakistan's military action

channel-news-asiandtv

These outlets explicitly state the attacks occurred 'after Afghanistan attacks border' or 'After Afghanistan Attack', framing Pakistan's actions as a direct response.

express-tribune

This outlet frames Pakistan's actions as a 'decisive response after Afghan aggression' and quotes the defence minister on failed diplomatic efforts.

morgunbladidAl Jazeera

These outlets report the air attacks and war declaration factually without explicitly stating the preceding Afghan aggression in the provided snippets.

Key claims4 agreed · 2 unverified

✓

Pakistan has launched air attacks on Afghanistan.

agreed·channel-news-asiamorgunbladidndtvAl Jazeeraexpress-tribune

✓

Kabul was among the cities bombed by Pakistan.

agreed·channel-news-asiamorgunbladidndtv

Coverage gaps

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stating that diplomatic efforts to normalise ties failed.

Reportedexpress-tribune

Missingchannel-news-asiamorgunbladidndtv+1

Al Jazeera's correspondent in Kabul reporting explosions and anti-aircraft fire.

ReportedAl Jazeera

Missingchannel-news-asiamorgunbladidndtv+1

Kandahar being bombed by Pakistan.

Reportedndtv

Missingchannel-news-asia

Perspective Analysis

Comparing sources…

Story evolution

The narrative shifted from Pakistan's justification for a 'decisive response' to the confirmed reporting of actual air attacks and the formal declaration of 'open war' by Pakistan.

Initial JustificationFeb 26 evening

Pakistan's defence minister provides context for an impending 'decisive response' to Afghan aggression, citing failed diplomatic efforts.

Confirmed Air Attacks and War DeclarationFeb 27 early morning

Reports confirm Pakistan has launched air attacks on major Afghan cities, including Kabul, and formally declared 'open war'.

How outlets covered this

Left-leaning

No articles

Pakistan delivering decisive response after Afghan aggression: defence minister

Right-leaning

No articles

Key entities

Pakistanaggressor, launching air attacks and declaring war Afghanistantarget of air attacks and war declaration Kabulcapital city bombed by Pakistan Khawaja AsifPakistan's defence minister Kandaharcity reportedly bombed by Pakistan

Coverage Timeline

First report: express-tribune · 26 Feb, 20:57|Full coverage: All 5 sources within 5h|Window: 5h

Left-leaningCenterRight-leaning

express-tribune26 Feb, 20:57First to report

Pakistan delivering decisive response after Afghan aggression: defence minister

5h later

Al Jazeera27 Feb, 01:44

Pakistan warplanes bomb Kabul; Islamabad declares ‘open war’ on Afghanistan

ndtv27 Feb, 02:04

Pak Declares "Open War", Bombs Kabul, Kandahar After Afghanistan Attack

morgunbladid27 Feb, 02:08

Ráðast á Afganistan úr lofti og lýsa yfir stríði

channel-news-asia27 Feb, 02:14Latest update

Pakistan bombs Kabul after Afghanistan attacks border

Read at source (5 outlets)

channel-news-asia1h ago

Pakistan bombs Kabul after Afghanistan attacks border

Read full article →

morgunbladid1h ago

Ráðast á Afganistan úr lofti og lýsa yfir stríði

Her Pakistans hefur hafið loftárásir á nokkrar helstu borgir nágrannaríkisins Afganistan í nótt, þar á meðal höfuðborgina Kabúl.

Read full article →

ndtv1h ago

Pak Declares "Open War", Bombs Kabul, Kandahar After Afghanistan Attack

Islamabad has declared "open war" on the Afghan Taliban government following renewed clashes along the shared border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Read full article →

Al Jazeera2h ago

Pakistan warplanes bomb Kabul; Islamabad declares ‘open war’ on Afghanistan

Al Jazeera's correspondent in Kabul reports explosions and anti-aircraft fire as Pakistan bombs the capital city.

Read full article →

express-tribune6h ago

Pakistan delivering decisive response after Afghan aggression: defence minister

Khawaja Asif says Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to normalise ties failed despite comprehensive measures

By Web Desk

Read full article →

Air attacks on Afghanistan and declaration of war

Why this matters

Perspective Analysis

Political spectrum

What sources agree on

Where they diverge

Key claims4 agreed · 2 unverified

Coverage gaps

Perspective Analysis

Story evolution

How outlets covered this

Left-leaning

Center

Pakistan bombs Kabul after Afghanistan attacks border

Ráðast á Afganistan úr lofti og lýsa yfir stríði

Pak Declares "Open War", Bombs Kabul, Kandahar After Afghanistan Attack

Pakistan warplanes bomb Kabul; Islamabad declares ‘open war’ on Afghanistan

Pakistan delivering decisive response after Afghan aggression: defence minister

Right-leaning

Key entities

Coverage Timeline

Pakistan delivering decisive response after Afghan aggression: defence minister

Pakistan warplanes bomb Kabul; Islamabad declares ‘open war’ on Afghanistan

Pak Declares "Open War", Bombs Kabul, Kandahar After Afghanistan Attack

Ráðast á Afganistan úr lofti og lýsa yfir stríði

Pakistan bombs Kabul after Afghanistan attacks border

Read at source (5 outlets)

Pakistan bombs Kabul after Afghanistan attacks border

Ráðast á Afganistan úr lofti og lýsa yfir stríði

Pak Declares "Open War", Bombs Kabul, Kandahar After Afghanistan Attack

Pakistan warplanes bomb Kabul; Islamabad declares ‘open war’ on Afghanistan

Pakistan delivering decisive response after Afghan aggression: defence minister

Related Stories

UN Accuses Israel of Aiming for Demographic Change in Palestine

'Open war' declared: Pakistan strikes Kabul, Kandahar — 10 things to know about Operation Ghazab Lil Haq

Pakistan bombs Kabul in 'open war' on Afghanistan's Taliban government

Friday's Time Schedule

Why this matters

Story evolution

Key entities

Perspective Analysis

Political spectrum

What sources agree on

Where they diverge

Key claims4 agreed · 2 unverified

Coverage gaps

Coverage matrix