Pakistan, Afghanistan trade strikes; ‘open war’ warning issued

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.

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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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