Afghan and Pakistani forces traded airstrikes and artillery fire along the Durand Line on Thursday night, killing dozens on both sides, as Pakistan’s defence minister warned the two countries were now in “open war” after months of escalating clashes.
The fighting erupted after Afghan forces targeted Pakistani military posts in eastern border provinces. Afghan officials said the attacks were in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes in Nangarhar and Paktika earlier this week.
Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said: “In response to the continued aggressions of Pakistan’s military regime, extensive retaliatory offensive operations have commenced against Pakistani military centres and installations along the Durand Line.”
Clashes were reported in Nangarhar, Nuristan, Kunar, Khost, Paktia and Paktika. Mujahid later said 13 Afghan security personnel were killed and 22 wounded in a four-hour battle.
The Afghan Ministry of National Defence claimed 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed, and that two bases and 19 posts were captured. “The assigned objectives were achieved as planned,” the ministry said.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said Taliban forces had “miscalculated and opened unprovoked fire” across the border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, prompting an “immediate and effective response.” It claimed heavy Afghan casualties and said more than 200 Afghans died in subsequent airstrikes.
Early on Friday, Mujahid said Pakistani aircraft bombed locations in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia but added that no one was harmed.
Islamabad has accused Kabul of harbouring Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, a charge the Afghan government denies.
Iran’s foreign minister urged dialogue and offered to facilitate talks. Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi told counterparts in Qatar and Türkiye that Afghanistan “has consistently preferred resolving issues through understanding and mutual respect”.
The fighting has since ceased, but officials on both sides have warned that the situation remains fragile.
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Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as supreme leader on Monday (9 March), signaling that hardliners remain firmly in charge, as the week-old U.S.-Israeli war with Iran pushed oil above $100 a barrel.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, has addressed the U.N. Security Council, saying the world must consider how effective its engagement with the Taliban-run country is as millions face hunger.
British MPs have rejected a proposal to introduce an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s, opting instead to give ministers flexible powers to impose restrictions on platforms.
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 10th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. President Donald Trump called his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very good.” The two leaders spoke on Monday about the situation in Iran and other international issues.
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