Pakistan has declared an open military confrontation against Afghanistan following a series of cross-border attacks and retaliatory airstrikes. Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif announced on X that Islamabad’s tolerance had reached its limit after a night of strikes targeting Taliban strongholds, stating, “Our cup of patience has overflowed. Now it is open war between us.” The announcement comes amid growing concerns over the fragility of the ceasefire negotiated last October between the neighboring countries.
The escalation began after Afghan forces launched a retaliatory attack on Pakistan on Thursday, responding to weekend airstrikes that reportedly killed more than a dozen people in Afghan border areas. In response, Pakistan carried out airstrikes early Friday on major Afghan cities, including the capital Kabul, Kandahar where the Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada is based, and Paktia province in the southeast. Explosions were heard across Kabul, though the precise locations of the strikes have not been confirmed.
Both nations reported conflicting casualty figures. The Taliban claimed Afghan forces killed 55 Pakistani soldiers and captured many others, destroying 19 army posts and two bases. Afghanistan reported two casualties and 11 injuries, while Pakistan claimed 133 Afghan casualties and the destruction of 27 Afghan posts, denying any capture of its soldiers. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the country’s military capability, asserting that the nation “stands by the Pakistani Armed Forces” and is committed to safeguarding national security.
Khawaja Muhammad Asif further accused the Taliban of allowing Afghanistan to become “a colony of India,” neglecting citizens’ welfare, and exporting terrorism by harboring militants. Pakistan has repeatedly claimed the Taliban have failed to prevent attacks on its territory, a charge Afghanistan denies. The conflict threatens to unravel the Qatari-brokered ceasefire, originally established after Pakistan accused the Taliban of sheltering members of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). A UN spokesperson urged both countries to comply with international law and protect civilians amid the intensifying violence.
