SAEDNEWS: Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has declared it is now “open war” between Pakistan and Afghanistan's Taliban government, following reports of explosions in Kabul and ongoing fighting along the border.
Gunfire and shelling have been noted near the vital Torkham border crossing between the two nations.
Al Jazeera’s Kamal Hyder, reporting from Islamabad, along with the AFP news agency, indicated that shelling was audible near the crossing this morning.
AFP also noted that Afghan troops were moving toward the frontier.
Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that 133 Afghan Taliban fighters were killed and over 200 injured in the clashes.
In contrast, the Taliban government reported eight of its fighters killed and 11 wounded. It further claimed to have killed 55 Pakistani soldiers, seized two military bases, and 19 military posts.
Pakistan confirmed two of its security personnel were killed in the continuing confrontations.
Amid the escalation, the Pakistani air force conducted operations, destroying military infrastructure in Kabul, Kandahar, and other regions.
Pakistan described this as an “open war” triggered by an unprovoked action from the Afghan Taliban, with Pakistan responding decisively.
Any such cross-border strikes carry the potential for unintended casualties. The situation remains highly unstable and complex.
Observers note it will be crucial to monitor the duration of this retaliatory exchange and whether it develops into a comprehensive conflict between the neighboring countries.
Turning to the background of the tensions, Pakistan's justification for the assaults on Afghanistan stems from recent persistent attacks within its territory.
On February 6, a suicide bomber claimed at least 36 lives at a Shiite mosque in Islamabad.
Shortly after, an vehicle packed with explosives struck a security outpost in Bajaur, in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, resulting in the deaths of 11 soldiers and a child.
Pakistani officials identified the perpetrator as an Afghan citizen.
Following the Bajaur event, Pakistan delivered a demarche to the Afghan deputy head of mission in Islamabad.
On February 21, another suicide attacker targeted a security convoy in Bannu, also in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing two soldiers.
These incidents prompted Pakistan to initiate its initial strikes within Afghan borders, aiming at alleged hideouts and sanctuaries used by militant groups, especially the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or Pakistan Taliban.
Afghanistan reported those strikes caused at least 18 deaths and vowed retaliation, leading to gunfire commencing on Thursday night.
Earlier that day, Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid announced Afghanistan was conducting “large-scale offensive operations” against the Pakistani military “along the Durand Line” that divides the two countries.
