Pakistan carried out major airstrikes on Afghanistan on Friday, targeting Kabul and southern Taliban strongholds, marking the first large scale ardment of the Afghan capital since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Islamabad’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared an “open war” with the Taliban government after months of tit for tat clashes along the border.
AFP reporters in Kabul and Kandahar reported hearing jets and explosions overnight. Civilians, including children and women, were displaced by the shelling near the Torkham border crossing and at refugee camps for returnees. Afghan authorities confirmed Pakistan’s airstrikes, while the Taliban claimed no casualties but launched large-scale operations along the border in response.
The escalation follows a series of border s, including Afghan forces targeting Pakistani troops and repeated strikes against militant groups such as the Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of failing to act against cross-border s, while the Taliban denies the allegations. International mediation efforts from Saudi Arabia, Iran, and China have attempted to calm tensions but have yet to prevent violence.
Experts describe the situation as a “significant and dangerous escalation,” with both militaries reporting dozens of casualties in recent weeks. The strikes also sparked online misinformation, including viral footage falsely claimed to depict the Kabul airstrikes. The region continues to face heightened insecurity as both countries navigate months of border violence and complex geopolitical tensions.
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