Pakistani forces conducted air and ground strikes inside Afghanistan overnight, targeting what officials in Islamabad claim were militant positions, escalating a conflict that has rapidly deteriorated into what one Pakistani minister termed “open war.” The strikes hit Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia province, according to both Pakistani and Taliban sources.
The escalation follows retaliatory attacks launched by Afghanistan on Thursday night, prompting the Pakistani response. Mosharraf Zaidi, a spokesperson for the Pakistani government, stated on X that the strikes were a response to “unprovoked Afghan attacks,” alleging 133 Afghan Taliban fighters were killed and over 200 wounded, with 27 posts destroyed and nine captured. Reuters reported these claims could not be independently verified.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid initially reported that the Taliban had launched strikes early Friday on Pakistani military positions in Kandahar and Helmand provinces, but subsequently deleted the post. Mujahid, speaking at a news conference, reiterated the Taliban’s call for a “peaceful solution” and urged the issue to be “resolved through dialogue,” according to reporting from Mint. He similarly maintained that Pakistan’s security concerns are an internal matter.
Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif issued a stark warning, stating, “Our cup of patience has overflowed. Now This proves open war between us and you (Afghanistan).” This marks the first time Islamabad has directly targeted the Taliban government rather than militants allegedly backed by them, representing a significant rupture in relations between the two Islamic nations.
Conflicting accounts emerged regarding the extent of the damage and casualties. While Pakistani officials claim significant losses inflicted on Taliban fighters, Afghan officials maintain they “successfully conducted” strikes on Pakistani military installations. Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar disputed these claims, stating that militants affiliated with the Pakistani Taliban attempted drone attacks inside Pakistan but were intercepted by anti-drone systems, resulting in no casualties. Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry, denied allegations of civilian targeting, asserting that no civilian infrastructure was targeted.
The strikes occurred as the Taliban marked their second anniversary in power, a celebration largely devoid of female participation due to restrictions imposed on women’s public life. The Taliban’s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, in a recent interview, indicated that the ban on female education would remain in place, and suggested their rule is open-ended, drawing legitimacy from Islamic law.
The situation remains volatile, with both sides continuing military operations along the border and offering sharply differing accounts of events. As of Friday, no independent verification of casualty figures or damage assessments was available.
