Pakistan launched airstrikes targeting Kabul and Kandahar early Friday, escalating a conflict with Afghanistan following retaliatory attacks by Afghan forces against Pakistani military positions. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared Islamabad was entering “open war” with the Taliban government, stating his country’s “patience has run out.”
Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Kabul, Nasser Shadid, reported the first bombing raid hit the Afghan capital at 1:50 am local time (21:20 GMT), followed by a second strike. Anti-aircraft fire from Afghan forces responded to both attacks, as reported by Al Jazeera’s liveblog. An Afghan government source confirmed the strikes on Kabul, adding that Pakistani warplanes also targeted a military base in Kandahar province.
The attacks are framed by Pakistan as a response to “aggression” from Afghanistan, specifically referencing attacks late Thursday on Pakistani positions along the shared border. An Afghan military source claimed these attacks resulted in the deaths of 10 Pakistani soldiers and the capture of 13 outposts. This claim has not been independently verified.
The current escalation follows Pakistani airstrikes on Sunday targeting what Islamabad claimed were militant hideouts in Afghanistan. Pakistan asserted these strikes killed at least 70 fighters, a claim rejected by Afghanistan, which alleges civilian casualties. Global Post reported that these strikes occurred amid a fragile ceasefire.
On Thursday, Afghan forces initiated operations against Pakistan along the Durand Line – in Khost, Paktia and Nuristan provinces – in direct response to the Pakistani attacks on Sunday, according to Fakti.bg. Both sides have reported casualties.
Defence Minister Asif accused the Taliban government of “turning Afghanistan into an Indian colony,” gathering “terrorists from all over the world and exporting terrorism,” and “becoming puppets of India.” These accusations represent a significant hardening of rhetoric from Islamabad.
The situation remains fluid, with reports of continued gunfire in Kabul following the initial airstrikes. The extent of damage and casualties from Friday’s attacks is currently unknown. No statement has been issued by the Taliban regarding a potential response to the Pakistani strikes.
