Pakistan's defence minister has declared an 'open war' against the Taliban government in Afghanistan, following a series of airstrikes on major Afghan cities including Kabul. The escalation came after what Islamabad described as 'unprovoked firing' from across the border.
Pakistani forces targeted 22 locations across Afghanistan, striking in Kabul, Kandahar, Paktia, Nangarhar, Khost and Paktika. Afghan officials retaliated by attacking Pakistani border troops, claiming they had captured several soldiers—a claim denied by Islamabad.
Both sides reported heavy casualties. Pakistan's armed forces spokesperson claimed at least 274 Taliban fighters were killed and over 400 wounded since the launch of Operation Ghazab lil-Haq. Afghanistan's Taliban government said eight of its own troops died and 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed, adding that 13 civilians were injured in an alleged attack on a refugee camp in Nangarhar.
The violence marks a significant breakdown since a Qatari- and Turkish-brokered ceasefire in October. Negotiations have since failed to produce a lasting agreement. Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson, called for dialogue to resolve the fighting but reiterated that Pakistan's security problems were an internal matter.
Since the Taliban's return to power in 2021, relations along the disputed 1,600-mile Durand Line have fluctuated between cautious diplomacy and open hostility. Islamabad accuses Afghanistan of harbouring Pakistan Taliban (TTP) militants, while analysts note this is the first time Pakistan has directly targeted Taliban government sites rather than just TTP positions.
