Pakistan in February 2026: the most important developments in security
In Pakistan in February 2026, the most covered event was a suicide bombing at a Shia mosque on the outskirts of Islamabad on February 6. It killed at least 36 people and wounded more than 160, and thousands attended funeral processions. The Islamic State claimed responsibility. Authorities arrested at least four suspects, including the alleged mastermind. Pakistan said the attack was planned in Afghanistan and that the bomber, a resident of Peshawar, was trained there. India and Afghanistan condemned the attack and rejected any allegation of involvement. Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned it and offered counterterrorism support.
At the start of the month, attacks by Baloch separatists in Balochistan killed more than 120 people, most of them militants, in clashes with the army lasting about 40 hours. The military then launched a large offensive with helicopters and drones and reported between 140 and more than 250 militants killed. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the fighters carried US-made weapons and asked the UN Security Council to designate the Baloch Liberation Army a terrorist organization. The UN Security Council and China condemned the attacks.
The main development late in the month was the escalation with Afghanistan. A UN Security Council report endorsed Pakistan's claim of increased attacks by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan from Afghan soil. On February 22 Pakistan carried out airstrikes inside Afghanistan, saying it killed more than 80 fighters, while the Taliban government said dozens of civilians were killed and wounded. Fire was exchanged along the border, and on February 26 the Taliban government launched strikes into Pakistan. Pakistan bombed Kabul and Kandahar and declared a state of open war under Operation Ghazab Lil Haq. The United States said Pakistan has a right to defend itself. On February 28 a Pakistani fighter jet was shot down over Jalalabad, the Taliban said they had captured the pilot, Pakistan denied this, and the Taliban expressed openness to talks.
Militant attacks continued in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including a vehicle bombing that killed at least 12 people at a security post on February 17.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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