Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions spiral as Islamabad declares ‘open war’,claims 133 Afghan fighters killed

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have sharply escalated after Islamabad declared what it called “open war” against the Afghan Taliban government. The situation worsened after Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Kabul and Kandahar on Friday, hours after Afghan forces attacked Pakistani border troops. The Taliban government said its action was retaliation for deadly Pakistani airstrikes earlier this week.

Pakistan has claimed its forces killed 133 Afghan fighters. Kabul, on the other hand, said 55 Pakistani troops were killed in its offensive.

“Our patience has reached its limit. Now it is open war between us and you,” Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif posted on X (formerly Twitter), as the military launched operation ‘Ghazab Lil Haq’ against Afghanistan. With both sides reporting heavy casualties, a Qatar-mediated ceasefire now appears fragile.

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Afghanistan and Pakistan trade claims

Afghanistan reported at least three explosions in Kabul, though officials did not immediately confirm the exact locations or casualties. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistan also carried out airstrikes in Kandahar and in the southeastern province of Paktia.

Earlier, Afghanistan said it had launched cross-border attacks late Thursday in response to Pakistani airstrikes last Sunday. It claimed to have captured more than a dozen Pakistani army posts. Afghanistan’s defence ministry said eight of its soldiers were killed in the offensive.

An Afghan official told AFP that civilians were injured near the Torkham border crossing, at a camp for returnees from Pakistan. “A mortar shell has hit the camp and, unfortunately, seven of our refugees have been wounded, and the condition of one woman is serious,” said Qureshi Badlun, information chief in Nangarhar province.

Pakistan’s military, according to The Associated Press, said it targeted Afghan military facilities in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia, allegedly destroying two brigade bases. Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar posted on X that “Afghan Taliban defence targets were targeted in Kabul, Paktia (province) and Kandahar.”

Pakistan’s state broadcaster PTV News claimed two brigade headquarters were destroyed in Kabul, along with one corps headquarters and one brigade headquarters in Kandahar. It also reported that an ammunition depot and logistics base were destroyed in Kandahar, and a corps headquarters in Paktia.

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the Taliban. “The cowardly enemy struck in the darkness of night. The Afghan Taliban made a despicable attempt to target innocent civilians,” he said. “The nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces. The Afghan Taliban made a terrible mistake by attacking. They will have to face serious consequences. We will not allow our security to be compromised.”

Casualty mismatch and border tensions

The two countries have provided differing casualty figures sharply. Afghanistan’s Defence Ministry said 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed and several captured. It said eight Afghan soldiers were killed and 11 wounded, and claimed to have destroyed 19 Pakistani army posts and two bases.

Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, however, said only two Pakistani soldiers were killed and three wounded, while 36 Afghan fighters were killed. Later, Mosharraf Ali Zaidi, spokesperson for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, claimed at least 133 Afghan fighters were killed and more than 200 wounded. He denied that any Pakistani soldiers were captured and said 27 Afghan posts were destroyed.

Both sides reported continued firing in the Torkham border area. Afghan authorities began evacuating a refugee camp after 13 civilians were wounded in a missile strike, including women and children. On the Pakistani side, police said residents were moving to safer areas.

Afghanistan claimed its forces shot down a Pakistani F-16 and released video footage of a burning aircraft. The footage could not be independently verified.

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The violence follows earlier cross-border strikes by Pakistan, which said it had killed 70 militants on Sunday. Afghanistan rejected the claim, saying dozens of civilians were killed and accusing Pakistan of violating its airspace.

Militant violence has surged in Pakistan in recent years. Islamabad blames the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), which it says operates from Afghanistan. Kabul and the TTP deny these allegations.

For now, the border remains tense, and prospects of a stable ceasefire appear uncertain.