Pakistan declares 'open war' with Afghanistan after airstrikes on Kabul
ISLAMABAD (Afghan Verified) — Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif declared Friday that the country is in "open war" with Afghanistan following airstrikes on Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia provinces.
The strikes, which Pakistani officials said targeted Taliban defense positions, came after Afghanistan launched cross-border attacks late Thursday in retaliation for prior Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan border areas. Afghanistan's government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the locations were hit but said there were no casualties. Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar specified strikes on Taliban brigade bases and ammunition depots.
Afghanistan's Ministry of Defense announced successful retaliatory airstrikes Friday morning on Pakistani military sites, including near Faizabad outside Islamabad, Nowshera, Jamrud and Abbottabad. Tarar confirmed drone attacks on Abbottabad, Swabi and Nowshera in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, claiming Pakistani air defenses downed all drones with no casualties or damage.
Casualty claims differ sharply. Afghanistan's Defense Ministry said its forces killed 55 Pakistani soldiers, captured two bases and 19 posts during border clashes, with eight Afghan fighters killed and 11 wounded. It also reported 13 civilians wounded in Pakistani rocket fire on a Nangarhar refugee camp. Pakistan previously claimed 133 Taliban fighters killed in its strikes, while Amu TV cited Afghan claims of 55 Pakistani deaths unmet by Islamabad.
Asif accused the Taliban of turning Afghanistan into an "Indian colony" and "exporting terrorism" via groups like the Pakistani Taliban (TTP). Tensions have simmered since 2021, with mutual accusations of harboring militants and border clashes killing dozens. A Qatari-mediated ceasefire and Istanbul talks failed to yield lasting peace. Fighting continued Friday in Torkham, with Afghan officials reporting Pakistani mortar fire on civilian areas.
Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held calls with Afghan, Pakistani and regional counterparts amid the escalation.
Know more about this story?
If you have additional information or believe something is inaccurate, let us know. Your tips help us stay accurate.
More in Security
Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Calls Civilian Killings in Afghanistan 'Serious Cause for Concern'
Pakistan conducts airstrikes on Taliban targets in Kabul and Nangarhar; Taliban claims 400 killed at rehab center
Israel Confirms Airstrike Killing Senior Iranian Official Ali Larijani
Italy Urges Citizens to Leave Afghanistan Amid Deteriorating Security
ReliableRussian Ambassador to Pakistan Calls Civilian Killings in Afghanistan 'Serious Cause for Concern'
Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Albert Khorev voiced serious concern over civilian deaths in Afghanistan during Taliban-Pakistan border tensions, urging diplomatic negotiations. The comments follow disputed Pakistani airstrikes on Kabul, which the Taliban say hit a medical center, killing 408 and wounding 265 per their reports.
ReliablePakistan conducts airstrikes on Taliban targets in Kabul and Nangarhar; Taliban claims 400 killed at rehab center
Pakistan conducted airstrikes on Taliban targets in Kabul and Nangarhar, with the Taliban claiming 400 killed at a Kabul rehab center near a drone factory, while Pakistan described it as a precise anti-terror operation. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Taliban bans have systematically eliminated Afghan women from public life.
ReliableIsrael Confirms Airstrike Killing Senior Iranian Official Ali Larijani
Israel confirmed a precise airstrike killed Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, amid coordinated strikes in Tehran, Shiraz and Tabriz. Iranian authorities have not responded officially, while domestic media shared a note purportedly from Larijani claiming he is alive.
ReliableItaly Urges Citizens to Leave Afghanistan Amid Deteriorating Security
Italy’s Foreign Ministry urged its citizens to leave Afghanistan using commercial flights due to deteriorating security from cross-border clashes between Pakistan and Taliban forces. The advisory highlights recent Pakistani airstrikes, including conflicting claims over a Kabul strike that the Taliban say hit a medical facility while Pakistan claims it targeted militants.