Pakistan’s defence minister has said the country is in” open war” with Afghanistan, after Islamabad launched airstrikes on Kabul as part of a surge of attacks across the country.
” Our tolerance has now run out,” said Khawaja Muhammad Asif following the attacks.
The strikes came after the Afghan Taliban blazoned a major descent against Pakistani military posts near the border on Thursday night.
The rearmost attacks follow months of clashes between the two neighbouring nations, despite agreeing to a fragile ceasefire in October.
Last time’s accommodations failed to reach a broader agreement for a complete end to conflict, with both side condemning each other for not engaging seriously with addresses.
Pakistan and Taliban Exchange Strikes Along Afghanistan Border
The Taliban launched a retaliatory operation around 2000 local time (15:30 GMT) on Thursday. They claimed to have captured 19 Pakistani military posts and two bases. They said 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed. The BBC has not verified these claims.
Pakistan responded, saying the Taliban opened unprovoked fire across multiple areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Islamabad’s security forces launched immediate air and ground strikes. Pakistan targeted Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktika early Friday in response to the attacks
Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, said they hit 22 Taliban targets and killed over 200 fighters. At least 12 Pakistani soldiers were killed.
The Taliban’s spokesperson, Mujahid, said 13 fighters and 22 others were injured, while 13 civilians were hurt. Casualty numbers remain unverified. Both sides claimed heavy losses to the enemy while reporting minimal own casualties.
In retaliation, Zabihullah Mujahid posted on X that the Taliban struck Pakistani positions in Kandahar and Helmand on Friday. He later deleted the post.
The Afghan Taliban carried out air strikes on several targets in Pakistan on Friday morning. Taliban government sources told the BBC that they launched drones from Afghanistan for the attacks.
Pakistan’s Information Minister, Atta Tarar, said Pakistani forces intercepted Afghan drones targeting Swabi, Nowshera, and Abbottabad. Abbottabad houses a major military garrison and the army’s military academy.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, said his forces have the full capability to crush any aggressive moves. He vowed that Pakistan will make no concession in defending its cherished motherland.
Taliban Claims Pakistani Rockets Hit Refugee Camp, Tensions Rise Along Border
Taliban officers claimed on Friday that Pakistani rockets hit a refugee camp in Nangarhar, injuring at least nine people. The camp houses Afghan citizens recently returned from Pakistan. The BBC has not verified these claims.
Residents and local officials said the situation has calmed since the attacks. However, people on both sides of the border remain on high alert.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. They agreed to stay engaged and stressed the importance of peace and stability.
Dar, visiting Saudi Arabia, also talked with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.
Iran offered to facilitate dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan. It urged both countries to resolve differences through dialogue and good neighborliness.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper urged Pakistan and Afghanistan to re-engage in talks, de-escalate tensions, and avoid civilian harm.
A fragile ceasefire was agreed in October. However, talks failed to achieve a full end to hostilities. Both sides blamed the other for not negotiating seriously.
Pakistan accuses the Afghan Taliban of supporting anti-Pakistan terrorists, blamed for recent suicide attacks, including one at a mosque in the capital.