Pakistan Launches Airstrikes on Afghan Taliban, Declares ‘Open War’

Pakistan has launched a series of airstrikes targeting Afghan Taliban positions in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia, marking a significant escalation in tensions between the two neighboring countries. The strikes, which occurred early Friday morning, reportedly killed at least 133 Afghan Taliban fighters and wounded over 200, according to Pakistan’s spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi.

The airstrikes come as Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared that Islamabad would now be waging ‘open war’ against the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan, citing that Pakistan’s ‘patience has run out’. The strikes targeted a military base in Kandahar province and included an air raid on Kabul at 1:50 AM local time, prompting Afghan anti-aircraft defenses to respond.

In addition to the airstrikes, Pakistan claims to have captured nine Taliban positions and destroyed 27 others along the Afghan border. Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s Defence Ministry reported that 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed during their operations against Pakistani military positions, with eight Afghan soldiers also killed and 11 wounded in the clashes.

The hostilities, which lasted approximately four hours and concluded around midnight on Thursday, have further strained relations between the two countries. Tensions have been high since October when previous fighting resulted in over 70 casualties on both sides. The border between Pakistan and Afghanistan stretches 2,611 kilometers and has been a longstanding flashpoint for conflict.

International reactions have been swift, with the United Nations calling for urgent de-escalation. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged both parties to adhere to their obligations under international law. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Russia have also called for dialogue and diplomatic resolution to the conflict. Zalmay Khalilzad, a former US ambassador to Afghanistan, emphasized the need for both countries to cease their tit-for-tat attacks.

Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai has called for unity among Afghans to defend their homeland, underscoring the deep-rooted nationalistic sentiments in the face of external aggression. As the situation remains tense, the international community continues to watch closely, urging restraint and peaceful negotiations to prevent further escalation.