Pakistan has said it is now in “open war” with the Afghan Taliban-led government after cross-border violence escalated sharply. Pakistani forces launched airstrikes on several Afghan cities including the capital, Kabul, early Friday, marking a serious rise in fighting between the neighbouring countries.
Pakistani leaders said their action was a response to recent attacks by Afghan forces on Pakistani troops along the Durand Line, the long border the two countries share. Islamabad called the strikes Operation Ghazab lil-Haq and said they targeted Taliban military positions.
Casualties and Damage
According to Pakistan’s government, the airstrikes killed 133 Taliban fighters and wounded more than 200 others. Officials also claimed several Taliban military posts, ammunition depots and headquarters were destroyed, and nine positions were captured.
Afghan authorities gave different figures, saying at least 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed and multiple Pakistani military posts were captured in retaliatory attacks. Kabul confirmed that airstrikes hit areas in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia provinces, but the Taliban government said there were no Afghan military casualties in those bombings.
What Pakistan Says
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the country had tried diplomacy and patience but now felt it had no choice but to respond strongly. He described Afghanistan’s actions as “unprovoked aggression” and said Pakistan would defend its territory.
Officials said the strikes were meant to destroy militant bases and prevent attacks on Pakistani soil. They blamed the Taliban government for allowing militant groups to operate, a claim that Afghanistan denies.
What Afghanistan Says
The Taliban government confirmed the airstrikes but denied Pakistan’s claims about casualties. Afghan spokespeople said some military posts and positions were hit, but they rejected Pakistan’s accusations that Afghanistan harbors militants who attack Pakistan.
Afghan authorities also said they carried out their own attacks on Pakistani army positions along the border in response to earlier Pakistani airstrikes.
Impact on Civilians
Local reports and witnesses in Kabul and other regions said loud explosions were heard, and ambulance sirens were common after the strikes. There are reports of civilians being injured and living areas affected, though exact casualty figures for non-combatants are unclear.
Regional Situation
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been tense for months, despite previous efforts at peace and ceasefires mediated by countries such as Qatar and Turkey. The renewed violence threatens to undo fragile agreements aimed at reducing border clashes.
In Summary
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Pakistan says it has entered “open war” with Afghanistan after cross-border attacks.
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Pakistani jets bombed Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia, targeting Taliban military sites.
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Pakistan claims 133 Taliban fighters killed and heavy damage to militant infrastructure.
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Afghanistan says at least 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed and rejects claims of harboring militants.
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Civilians and border areas are affected as tensions rise.