PAKISTAN has declared an “open war” against Afghanistan and vowed a “crushing response” as both countries launched overnight strikes.
Islamabad said it had run out of patience after it blitzed the Taliban in Kabul – leaving several wounded.
Pakistan’s prime minister Shehbaz Sharif said they had “the full capability to crush any aggressive ambitions”.
He added that his country had “always sought peace” but that its “armed forces will firmly confront any aggression”.
Pakistani defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said: “Our cup of patience has overflowed. Now it is open war between us and you.”
The official claimed that the Taliban had turned Afghanistan into “a colony of India”.
He also alleged that Kabul had been recruiting militants from around the world and started “exporting terrorism”.
Over Thursday night, Pakistan launched airstrikes on the Afghan capital Kabul, as well as two other provinces.
The Taliban confirmed the attacks on its cities – shortly after it carried out its own cross-border response.
An Afghan Taliban spokesperson said on X it had responded with attacks on Pakistani troops – but later deleted the post.
Pakistan’s attacks included ground and air strikes against Taliban positions, headquarters and ammunition depots along the border, Islamabad officials said.
The latest strikes come following months of border disputes and skirmishes between the two south Asian countries.
A fragile ceasefire along their 1,615-miles-long border now hangs in the balance as the latest attacks have plunged relations to a new low.
The last serious escalation took place in October 2025, sparking rapid diplomatic negotiations to put an end to the violence.
Islamabad has repeatedly pointed the finger at Afghanistan’s tyrannical Taliban for supporting “anti-Pakistan terrorists”.
It blames Kabul for carrying out suicide attacks inside Pakistan – including a recent attack at a mosque in Islamabad.
But the Taliban has repeatedly denied being involved in threatening their neighbour’s security.
Pakistan claims its strikes against Afghanistan have targeted militant hideouts, not at civilians, while the Taliban has accused Pakistan of slaughtering civilians in unprovoked attacks.
Breaking news… More to follow…
