A military conflict has erupted between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
A look at recent events:
- Today, in the morning hours, Pakistan carried out airstrikes on two targets in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.
- According to Al Jazeera correspondent Nasser Shadid, the first airstrike was recorded around 1:50 AM local time (21:20 GMT), to which Afghan forces responded with fire from anti-aircraft installations.
- According to Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on platform X, "targets related to the Taliban's defense" were attacked in Kabul, as well as in the provinces of Paktia and Kandahar. Defense Minister Khwaja Asif, in turn, announced the beginning of an "open war" against the Taliban regime.
- On Thursday, both sides also exchanged fire along the border, with each claiming casualties.
- The conflict began after several days of escalating tensions that had worsened over the past months.
- Representatives of the "Taliban" stated that on Thursday a "large-scale offensive operation" was initiated against Pakistani military targets along the Durand Line.
- According to the Taliban, their actions were a response to a series of airstrikes by Pakistan carried out this week.
Shortly before the airstrikes on Kabul, the Ministry of Information in Islamabad accused Afghan Taliban of shelling several targets along their shared northwestern border.
“Afghan Taliban miscalculated and opened fire on several objects on the border with Pakistan in [Khyber Pakhtunkhwa], prompting an immediate and effective response from Pakistani security forces,” the ministry stated on September 10.
“In the areas of Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram, and Bajaur, Taliban forces are suffering losses. Initial data confirms significant casualties on the Afghan side, with many posts and equipment destroyed,” the ministry added.
Pakistan's Defense Minister Khwaja M. Asif declared an "open war" on the Taliban government in a sharp statement on platform X.
This statement was a response to a series of attacks by Pakistani troops on major Afghan cities following assaults by Afghan forces on Pakistani troops.
Khwaja noted: “Pakistan has made every effort to maintain a normal situation through both direct diplomacy and friendly countries.”
“Our patience has run out. We are now in a state of open war.”
Last October, both sides agreed to a fragile ceasefire after a series of deadly clashes; however, subsequent conflicts still occurred.
The strikes on Kabul and Kandahar were the latest in a series of clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, despite a previously reached fragile ceasefire agreement in October 2025.
Last week, Pakistani forces conducted several nighttime airstrikes on Afghanistan, resulting in the deaths of at least 18 people, including women and children, according to the Taliban.
Islamabad confirmed that the attacks targeted seven alleged camps and hideouts of militants near the border and occurred after recent suicide bombings in Pakistan. Kabul, in turn, reported that the targets of the attacks were residential homes and religious establishments, with women and children among the victims.
Afghan Taliban announced the start of a "large-scale" operation in response to the airstrikes and claimed that a "large number" of Pakistani soldiers were killed as a result of their actions.
These claims were denied by a representative of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, who also disputed the Taliban's statement about capturing 15 military posts.
On the same day, Pakistan confirmed that two of its soldiers were killed and three were injured as a result of unprovoked fire along the border.
As in previous instances, both sides blame each other for initiating hostilities, each claiming to have inflicted heavy losses.
On Friday, Pakistani authorities reported the beginning of "counter-offensives" on cities such as Kabul and Kandahar in response to "unprovoked attacks by Afghan forces."
Afghan Taliban announced the start of a "large-scale" operation in response to the strikes that resulted in the deaths of at least 18 people. Islamabad, in turn, stated that the operation targeted camps and hideouts of militants.
Taliban representative Mawlawi Wahidullah Mohammadi reported that the "operation of vengeance" began around 8:00 PM local time (15:30 GMT) on Thursday.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the main spokesperson for the group, stated that there were numerous casualties among Pakistani soldiers and that some were captured, but Pakistani authorities denied this.
According to the spokesperson for the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Musharraf Zaidi, Pakistani forces destroyed 27 Taliban military posts and captured 9.
Additionally, he stated that more than 80 tanks, artillery pieces, and armored personnel carriers were destroyed.
“Pakistan responds to aggression swiftly and effectively,” he noted on platform X.
The Taliban's Ministry of Defense reported the capture of 19 Pakistani military posts and two bases, claiming that 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed.
It should be noted that it is difficult to verify these figures, as both sides report significant losses.
Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that the country's armed forces "are fully capable of preventing any aggressive intentions."
“Defending the homeland is a matter of principle, and there will be a corresponding response to every act of aggression,” stated messages on the account of the Government of Pakistan on social media platform X.
Hamid Karzai noted that Pakistani aviation attacked Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia in Afghanistan.
“Afghans will defend their homeland in full unity and respond to any aggression with courage,” stated the former President of Afghanistan.
“Pakistan must change its policy and choose the path of good neighborliness and respect, rather than continuing the violence and bombings that it itself has created,” he added.
