Pakistan Launches Strikes on Kabul, Declares 'Open War' Against Afghan Taliban

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated into open cross-border hostilities, with Pakistan launching airstrikes on targets inside Afghanistan, including the capital, Kabul. The strikes, which also reportedly hit the cities of Kandahar and Paktia, were described by Pakistan as a 'strong and effective response' to what it claims were earlier attacks by Afghan forces on its military positions near the border. Pakistan's Defence Minister declared that the nation's 'patience has run out' and that 'there is an open war.' Confirming the retaliatory action, Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for Afghanistan's Taliban-led government, acknowledged that strikes occurred in 'certain areas of Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia.' However, he stated that there were no immediate reports of casualties from the explosions that rocked the Afghan capital in the early hours of Friday. Residents reported hearing the sound of military jets and multiple detonations. The conflict marks a significant deterioration in relations between the two neighboring countries. While both nations acknowledge that fighting occurred in border areas, they disagree on the specifics and sequence of events that led to the escalation. The situation remains fluid, with the potential for further military engagement along the contested frontier.