“Open War” Breaks Out Between Afghanistan and Pakistan

Pakistan has declared it is in “open war” with Afghanistan’s Taliban government after rising tensions and cross-border clashes along the disputed Durand Line. Under a military campaign called Operation Ghazab lil-Haq (“Righteous Fury”), Pakistan launched airstrikes in response to what it described as “unprovoked firing” from across the border.

Pakistani forces said they targeted at least 22 locations, including Kabul, Kandahar, Paktia, Nangarhar, Khost, and Paktika, striking Taliban headquarters, ammunition depots, logistics bases, and other key military installations. Explosions were reported in Kabul.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Afghan forces had carried out “large-scale offensive operations” against Pakistani military positions in retaliation for earlier airstrikes. Afghan officials claimed their drones struck military targets inside Pakistan, though Islamabad stated any drones were intercepted without causing damage.

Casualty figures are disputed. Pakistan’s military reported at least 274 Taliban fighters killed and more than 400 injured since the operation began, with 12 Pakistani soldiers killed and 27 wounded. The country’s information minister gave a lower Taliban death toll of 133 and two Pakistani fatalities. Afghanistan’s Taliban government claimed 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed, eight Taliban fighters died, and 11 were injured, while also reporting 13 civilians wounded in a strike on a refugee camp in Nangarhar. Kabul further alleged it captured Pakistani soldiers, a claim Islamabad denies.

Pakistan’s defense minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, said the country had exhausted diplomatic options and would now take “decisive action,” blaming the Taliban for regional instability and terrorism. Asif accused the Afghan government of aligning with India and exporting terrorism, framing the conflict as a response to security threats and India’s growing ties with Kabul.

Mujahid emphasized that Afghanistan prefers dialogue but warned it would respond to further Pakistani attacks. Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai urged Pakistan to pursue “good neighborly relations” and warned Afghanistan would defend itself.

The fighting marks a major escalation after a ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Türkiye in October temporarily halted deadly border clashes. Several rounds of negotiations in Doha and Istanbul failed to secure a lasting agreement, with disputes over ceasefire enforcement, border mechanisms, and trade crossings. Relations have deteriorated since the Taliban returned to power in 2021 amid rising cross-border violence.

At the center of the conflict is the 1,600-mile Durand Line, drawn in 1893 and internationally recognized as Pakistan’s border, though rejected by Afghanistan. The colonial-era boundary divides Pashtun communities and has long been a source of tension.

Both sides blame each other for failing to control militant activity along the border. Pakistan accuses Kabul of harboring Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants who attack inside Pakistan, as well as Baloch separatists in Balochistan. The Taliban deny responsibility and say Pakistan’s security issues are internal. Analysts note this is the first time Pakistan has directly targeted Taliban government sites rather than only alleged TTP positions.

Regional rivalries are intensifying the crisis. India condemned Pakistan’s airstrikes, accusing Islamabad of externalizing its internal problems, while strengthening ties with the Taliban. Pakistan, in turn, alleges India funds anti-Pakistan groups in Afghanistan and inside Pakistan, which India denies.

International reactions have emphasized restraint and dialogue. The United Nations expressed deep concern, urging compliance with international humanitarian law and prioritizing civilian protection. The UN human rights chief called for urgent political dialogue. The UK, Iran, Russia, Türkiye, Qatar, and China have all urged de-escalation and offered to mediate, with China noting its ongoing diplomatic channels.

The conflict has significant regional security implications. Pakistan and India are nuclear-armed, while Afghanistan has historically been a hub for global jihadist movements. Militarily, Pakistan has a highly superior force, with more than 600,000 active personnel, thousands of armored vehicles, hundreds of combat aircraft, and nuclear weapons. The Taliban have an estimated 172,000 fighters and limited air capability, with a small number of aircraft and helicopters of uncertain operational status. Analysts warn the imbalance could fuel unconventional warfare, including increased terrorist attacks inside Pakistan’s major cities.

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