Pakistan launched airstrikes in Afghanistan on Friday, targeting Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia province, declaring “open war” following retaliatory attacks by Afghan forces against Pakistani military positions. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated Islamabad’s “patience has run out” with the Taliban authorities.
Pakistan Declares ‘Open War’ with Afghanistan
The strikes represent a major escalation in tensions between the neighboring countries. Asif framed the attack as a response to “aggression” from Afghanistan.
Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistani military targets were struck in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia province, but claimed there were no casualties. Gunfire and shelling were reported near the Torkham border crossing, according to Al Jazeera and AFP reports.
A bombing raid targeted the Afghan capital at 1:50 a.m. local time (21:20 GMT, Thursday), followed by a second air raid, reported Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Kabul, Nasser Shadid. Afghan anti-aircraft guns opened fire after both raids.
An Afghan government source confirmed an air strike hit Kabul, and Pakistani warplanes also targeted a military base in Kandahar province.
Mosharraf Zaidi, spokesperson for Pakistan’s prime minister, claimed 133 Afghan Taliban fighters were killed and more than 200 wounded in Friday’s attacks. He stated nine Taliban positions were captured and 27 destroyed, with Pakistani attacks continuing. Pakistan’s Ministry of Information also reported targeting Afghan Taliban forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province – Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram and Bajaur districts.
Al Jazeera has not independently verified casualty claims from either side.
Earlier Attacks
Pakistan’s strikes followed Afghanistan’s claim of carrying out “large-scale offensive operations” against Pakistani military positions on Thursday. Afghanistan’s Defence Ministry claimed 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed, including some whose bodies were taken into Afghanistan, and that “several others were captured alive.” Eight Afghan soldiers were killed and 11 wounded, according to the ministry. They also claimed to have destroyed 19 Pakistani army posts and two bases.
Pakistan previously claimed its attacks on Sunday killed at least 70 fighters, a claim Afghanistan rejected, alleging civilian deaths.
Poor Relations
A statement from Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office said the country is united behind its armed forces. “The people of Pakistan and its Armed Forces are fully prepared to safeguard the nation’s security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity,” the statement read. “There will be no leniency in defending our beloved homeland, and any aggression will be met with a fitting response.”
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have deteriorated since fighting in October killed more than 70 people on both sides of the border. Pakistan accuses Kabul of allowing armed groups, such as the Pakistan Taliban, to use Afghanistan as a base to launch attacks.
Asif stated Pakistan engaged in diplomacy but that “the Taliban became a proxy for India.” He added, “Pakistan’s role has been positive. It has hosted five million Afghans for 50 years. Even today, millions of Afghans are earning their livelihood on our soil. Our cup of patience has overflowed. Now it is open war between us and you.”
Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai stated on X that Afghans would “defend their beloved homeland with complete unity” and respond to aggression with courage, urging Pakistan to choose “the path of good neighbourliness, respect, and civilised relations.”
‘Grave Escalation’
Al Jazeera’s Kamal Hyder, reporting from Islamabad, said “heavy casualties have been inflicted” and described the situation as “a grave escalation, probably the worst since the Taliban took over.”
Elizabeth Threlkeld, director of the South Asia Program at the Stimson Center, noted the “more aggressive, kinetic attacks” from Pakistan, following months of “frayed” tensions and recent terrorist attacks within Pakistan.
Calls for Restraint
The United Nations has called for urgent de-escalation. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all parties to uphold international law and protect civilians. He also commended mediation efforts by several Member States. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged dialogue and good neighbourly principles, offering support for the process. Russia also urged a halt to attacks and a return to diplomatic means, offering potential mediation.
Zalmay Khalilzad, a former United States ambassador to Afghanistan, called the tit-for-tat attacks a “terrible dynamic that must stop,” advocating for a diplomatic agreement ensuring neither country allows its territory to be used by groups threatening the other’s security, monitored by a trusted third party, such as Turkiye.
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