Pakistani military spokesperson Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry stated that at least 12 Pakistani soldiers have been killed, along with 274 Taliban officials and fighters, since yesterday evening. Pakistan carried out airstrikes during the night targeting Taliban government forces in major Afghan cities for the first time directly. The situation has been described as an “open war,” significantly escalating tensions in a volatile and heavily armed region.
The attacks targeted the capital, Kabul, and Kandahar, where Taliban leaders are based. This marks the first time Islamabad has targeted the Taliban directly rather than militants it claims are supported by the group, severely straining relations between the neighbors. Pakistani security sources indicated the strikes included air-to-ground missile attacks on military headquarters and Taliban positions in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia province, alongside ground clashes in several border sectors.
The Taliban movement stated that it retaliated with attacks on Pakistani military installations. Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asaf stated on Friday that “we have run out of patience. Now it is an open war between us and you,” referring to Afghanistan.
Relations between Kabul and Islamabad have been strained by a long-standing dispute sparked by Islamabad’s allegations that Kabul harbors militants carrying out attacks inside Pakistan. The Taliban denies these claims, asserting that Pakistan’s security is an internal matter. These attacks represent a significant escalation and threaten to spark a long-term conflict over the 2,600-kilometer border between the two countries.
