Pakistan Bombs Taliban Government Targets in Afghanistan, Declares ‘Open War’

Pakistan carried out a series of air and ground strikes inside Afghanistan overnight, targeting what Islamabad described as Taliban government military facilities in major cities, including the capital Kabul and the southern hub of Kandahar, according to officials from both governments. Pakistan’s defence minister publicly described the escalating confrontation as an “open war,” marking one of the most serious flare-ups between the two neighboring countries in recent years.

The strikes represent a sharp escalation in tensions that have been building for months along the disputed Durand Line border. Islamabad maintains that the offensive was launched in retaliation for what it says were repeated cross-border attacks by militants operating from Afghan territory. Afghan authorities, however, deny that they are harboring armed groups responsible for violence inside Pakistan and accuse Islamabad of violating Afghan sovereignty.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Mohammad Asif, used unusually direct language when addressing the situation, stating that Pakistan’s patience had reached its limit. According to Pakistani officials, the military campaign — reportedly named Operation Ghazab Lil Haq — involved coordinated air raids and limited ground operations aimed at Taliban defence infrastructure, including brigade headquarters, weapons depots, and logistical compounds in multiple provinces.

Government sources in Islamabad claimed the strikes inflicted significant losses on Taliban forces, reporting dozens of fighters killed and many more injured. They also stated that several militant posts were destroyed or seized, and that military hardware was disabled. These figures, however, have not been independently verified.

The Taliban administration in Kabul confirmed that Pakistani strikes took place but rejected Islamabad’s account of the damage and casualties. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid acknowledged explosions in Kabul and other provinces yet dismissed claims of heavy losses as exaggerated. Afghan officials argue that Pakistan is overstating the impact to justify a broader military strategy.

The roots of the confrontation are tied to Pakistan’s long-running security concerns regarding armed groups such as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad accuses of launching attacks from Afghan soil. Pakistan has repeatedly urged Afghan authorities to take action against such groups. Kabul denies allowing its territory to be used against neighbors and insists it does not support cross-border militancy.

Another complicating factor in the region is the presence of extremist factions like Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), which operates independently and has targeted both Afghan and Pakistani forces in the past. The overlapping presence of multiple armed actors makes verification difficult and raises the risk of miscalculation.

Border clashes reportedly intensified earlier in the week, with both sides accusing each other of initiating hostilities. Afghan sources claimed Pakistani artillery and air power struck positions close to populated areas, while Islamabad maintained that its operations were precise and directed solely at militant targets. The absence of neutral observers on the ground makes it difficult to confirm competing narratives.

Analysts warn that open confrontation between Pakistan and Afghanistan carries serious regional implications. The two countries share a border stretching more than 2,600 kilometers, historically marked by instability, refugee flows, and militant activity. Any sustained military campaign risks displacing civilians, disrupting trade routes, and destabilizing already fragile border communities.

Pakistan is also grappling with internal security pressures, as insurgent violence has resurged in some regions. Officials in Islamabad argue that cross-border sanctuaries are fueling these attacks. Afghan authorities counter that Pakistan’s internal security challenges should not justify air strikes inside Afghan territory.

The broader geopolitical consequences are significant. Prolonged hostilities could affect regional alliances and draw attention from neighboring powers concerned about instability in South Asia. Diplomatic channels between Islamabad and Kabul appear strained, with no immediate announcement of ceasefire talks at the time of reporting.

As tensions remain high, both governments have placed security forces on alert. Whether the current escalation develops into sustained armed confrontation or gives way to negotiations will depend largely on back-channel diplomacy and the willingness of both sides to de-escalate.

For now, the declaration of “open war” signals a dangerous turning point in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations — one that could reshape the security landscape of the region if not swiftly contained.