Pakistan in ‘open war’ with Afghanistan, Pakistani defence minister says
Pakistan in ‘open war’ with Afghanistan, Pakistani defence minister says
Pakistan’s defense minister declared that the nation is now in an “open war” with Afghanistan, following overnight attacks between the two countries. The escalation has led to significant casualties, with both sides reporting losses but offering differing figures that remain unverified.
“Our patience has reached its limit,” stated Khawaja Muhammad Asif in a social media post. “It is now an open conflict between us and you [Afghanistan].”
The minister accused the Taliban of transforming Afghanistan into an “India colony” and of exporting terrorism by mobilizing global militants. Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s government officials have not yet responded to these allegations.
Historical ties and recent shifts
The relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan has long been complex. Since Pakistan’s creation in 1947, the two nations have alternated between cooperation and rivalry. Initially, Islamabad supported Afghan rebels during the Soviet–Afghan War, hosting thousands of refugees. Later, Pakistan became one of the few states to acknowledge the Taliban’s rise in the late 1990s and backed their return to power in 2021.
Tensions resurfaced after the emergence of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, known for orchestrating attacks on political targets within the country. Islamabad claims Kabul provides sanctuary to their leaders, fueling border skirmishes as Pakistani forces attempt to neutralize them.
Escalating hostilities
Security sources confirmed that Pakistan conducted air and ground operations targeting Taliban strongholds, command centers, and supply depots near the border. In Kabul, witnesses reported the sound of multiple explosions, with ambulance sirens indicating the aftermath of strikes.
Afghanistan’s defense ministry claimed 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed, including those taken into Afghan territory, and that 19 military posts and two bases were destroyed. They reported eight Afghan soldiers as casualties, with 11 injured. Pakistan’s information minister, Attaullah Tarar, disputed these numbers, stating only two soldiers were killed and three wounded.
Fragmented ceasefire and lingering uncertainty
Despite a ceasefire brokered by Qatar in October and peace talks in November, the agreement appears tenuous. Cross-border clashes have intensified, raising concerns about the stability of the 1,615-mile border. Mosharraf Ali Zaidi, a spokesperson for Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, denied reports of captured soldiers, citing at least 133 Afghan fighters killed and over 200 wounded in recent strikes.
Both nations continue to assert their claims, leaving the situation unresolved. The conflict now threatens to disrupt fragile peace efforts and deepen the divide over regional security priorities.
