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.