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Pakistan Declares "Open War" on Afghanistan After Airstrikes in Kabul, Kandahar

Pakistan has declared "open war" on Afghanistan following a series of airstrikes targeting areas in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif accused the Taliban administration of harboring terrorists and depriving Afghans of basic rights. In response, Afghanistan's defense ministry claims its forces killed 55 Pakistani soldiers in retaliatory operations along the disputed Durand Line. The escalation marks a severe downturn in relations, with both sides exchanging heavy casualties and accusations.

Key Points: Pakistan Declares Open War on Afghanistan After Airstrikes

  • Pakistan launches airstrikes in Afghan cities
  • Afghan forces claim 55 Pakistani soldiers killed
  • Tensions escalate over Durand Line border
  • Taliban accused of harboring militants
3 min read

Pakistan declares "open war" on Afghanistan after it carries out strikes in Kabul, Kandahar

Pakistan declares "open war" on Afghanistan, launching airstrikes in Kabul and Kandahar. Afghan forces claim 55 Pakistani soldiers killed in retaliation.

"Our cup of patience has overflowed. Now it is open war between us and you. - Khawaja Asif"

Islamabad, February 27

Cross-border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan escalated sharply on Friday, with Islamabad declaring "open war" on Kabul after carrying out airstrikes in parts of Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia, further intensifying tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

In a post on X, Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, issued a strong statement declaring the "open war" against Afghanistan, stating that Islamabad has lost its patience and accusing the Taliban-led administration of harbouring militants.

"After the withdrawal of NATO forces, it was expected that there would be peace in Afghanistan and that the Taliban would focus on the interests of the Afghan people and peace in the region...They gathered all the terrorists of the world in Afghanistan and began exporting terrorism. They deprived their own people of basic human rights. They snatched away the rights that Islam grants to women," his post read.

"Our cup of patience has overflowed. Now it is open war between us and you. Now it will be 'Dama Dam Mast Qalandar'. Pakistan's army did not come from across the seas. We are your neighbours; we know your ins and outs. Allahu Akbar," the Pakistani Defence Minister added.

Following the Pakistani strikes on Afghan soil, Afghanistan's spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, condemned the attack, calling the act by the Pakistani military "cowardly".

"The cowardly Pakistani military has carried out airstrikes in certain areas of Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia; fortunately, there have been no reported casualties," Mujahid said in a statement on X.

The escalation comes amid heightened tensions between Islamabad and the Taliban-led administration in Kabul over cross-border security concerns along the Durand Line, the border drawn by the British in the 19th century, which has remained a topic of dispute between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of National Defence of Afghanistan said that 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed in retaliatory operations carried out along the Durand Line on Thursday.

In a press release, the ministry said the action was launched at 8:00 PM on the 9th of Ramadan, corresponding to February 26, in response to what it described as a violation of Afghan territory by Pakistani military forces days earlier.

"A few days ago, the Pakistani military circles, with great audacity, violated Afghan territory, breached our borders, and martyred women and children here," the statement read.

"In these retaliatory operations along the Durand Line, a total of 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed, two bases and 19 posts were captured," the statement added.

In retaliation, Pakistan initiated the 'Ghazab Lil Haq' operation targeting the Afghan Taliban regime, as reported by ARY News.

Spokesperson of Pakistani Prime Minister Mosharraf Zaidi alleged that 133 Afghan Taliban fighters have been killed and over 200 wounded, with 27 Taliban posts destroyed and nine captured.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
While the situation is tragic, Pakistan's Defence Minister has a point about the Taliban harbouring militants. For years, they've allowed groups that threaten regional peace to operate freely. But declaring "open war"? That's just reckless rhetoric that helps no one, especially the common people on both sides.
A
Arjun K
Kettle calling the pot black. Pakistan has been the original exporter of terrorism for decades, now they are facing the same monster they created. The Taliban was their strategic asset. What did they expect? This is pure karma. Our government should use this opportunity to diplomatically isolate Pakistan further.
P
Priya S
My heart goes out to the innocent civilians caught in the middle. Women and children suffering on both sides of the Durand Line. When will our subcontinent learn that war only brings misery? We need strong regional leadership for peace, but who will provide it?
V
Vikram M
The numbers game in these statements is laughable. 55 soldiers killed one day, 133 fighters killed the next. Both sides are just trying to save face for their domestic audiences. The real tragedy is the instability it creates right at our doorstep. China must be watching and rubbing its hands.
M
Meera T
As an Indian, I have no sympathy for the Pakistani establishment, but I worry about the Afghan people. They have suffered enough. The Taliban regime is a disaster for human rights, especially women's rights as the minister pointed out. This conflict will only make their lives worse. A very sad situation all around.

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