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.
Dubai chef Shaw Lash at Mexican restaurant Lila Molino flies in her avocados and tomatillos, small, tart green fruits...
The Iranian leaders have commemorated the National Day of Persian Gulf stressing Tehran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz amid the U.S. mar...
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top storie...
The legal team of Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi plans to meet the detained former leader this weekend after sh...
A senior U.S. administration official says a ceasefire agreed with Iran in early April has effectively ended hostilities for an imminent congressio...
President Donald Trump said on Sunday Iran could telephone if it wants to negotiate an end to their two-month war. Tehran said the U.S. should remove obstacles to a deal, including its blockade of Iran's ports. Meanwhile Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrives in St Petersburg for talks.
Türkiye is expanding its diplomatic mediation efforts in Iran- U.S. talks amid rising regional tensions, as Ankara continues to position itself as a key facilitator in broader Middle East stability efforts.
Oil prices extended gains on Monday, rising nearly 2% as peace talks between the U.S. and Iran stalled while shipments through the Strait of Hormuz remained limited, keeping global oil supplies tight.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said Iran can contact the United States directly if it wishes to negotiate an end to the conflict between the two countries, now in its second month.
A report published by Minval Politika has raised new questions over alleged efforts by Luis Moreno Ocampo to shape international pressure against Azerbaijan and influence political dynamics around Armenia.
A Pentagon official provided the first official estimate of the cost of the U.S. war in Iran on Wednesday (29 April), telling lawmakers that $25 billion had so far been spent on the conflict, most of it on munitions. Earlier, Donald Trump said that the U.S. had "militarily defeated" Tehran.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned “foreigners who commit evil” have no place in the Gulf, outlining a “new phase” for the Strait of Hormuz, while a senior adviser said U.S. blockade efforts would fail and could trigger confrontation.
Shares in Meta Platforms fell sharply in extended trading on Wednesday after the tech giant raised its annual capital spending forecast by billions of dollars.
A senior U.S. administration official says a ceasefire agreed with Iran in early April has effectively ended hostilities for an imminent congressional war powers 1 May deadline, arguing that the absence of any military exchanges for more than three weeks removes the need for further authorisation.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 1st of May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The legal team of Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi plans to meet the detained former leader this weekend after she was transferred to house arrest in the capital by the military-backed government, a representative said on Friday.
The federal agent injured in the attack at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner was not hit by friendly fire, U.S. President Donald Trump and the Secret Service Director said on Thursday (30 April).
The United States imposed sanctions on former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila on Thursday, accusing him of supporting Rwanda-backed M23 rebels and fuelling political instability in the country’s troubled east.
Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla began wrapping up their four-day state visit to the U.S. with a very quick stop at the White House to bid farewell to U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday, having already charmed him at a formal dinner two days prior.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment