Pakistan is in ‘open war’ with Afghanistan, defense minister says

Islamabad (Somalia Today) – Pakistan and Afghanistan traded heavy fire and airstrikes Friday in a dramatic escalation that Islamabad’s defence minister warned amounted to “open war” between the Islamic neighbours.

Pakistani forces launched unprecedented air-to-ground missiles at Taliban military installations in the Afghan capital Kabul, as well as the southern city of Kandahar and southeastern Paktia province.

The overnight bombardment marks the first time Islamabad has directly targeted the Afghan Taliban government, rather than allied militant hideouts, rupturing ties in the volatile, nuclear-armed region.

“Our patience has now run out. Now it is open war between us,” Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif announced on the social media platform X.

Thick plumes of black smoke rose over Kabul early Friday after an ammunition depot exploded, witnesses said.

Tamim, a Kabul taxi driver, said he was asleep when the aircraft targeted a nearby weapons depot.

“We woke up, and the plane came and dropped two bombs, then flew away again,” he said. “Everyone, in panic, ran down from the second floor of the house. The ammunition inside the depot kept exploding on its own.”

‘Exporting terrorism’

Islamabad welcomed the Taliban’s return to power following the withdrawal of US-led NATO forces in 2021, hoping the group would secure the border and bring regional stability.

Instead, Asif accused the Taliban of “exporting terrorism” and turning Afghanistan “into a colony of India.”

Pakistan frequently alleges that its archrival New Delhi backs outlawed Baloch separatist groups and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to destabilise the country. India denies the allegations.

The TTP, which emerged in 2007, is a separate militant group allied with the Afghan Taliban.

Militant violence has surged in Pakistan, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of allowing TTP leaders to operate with impunity from Afghan soil. Kabul denies the charge, calling Pakistan’s security an internal problem.

Retaliatory strikes

Afghan authorities swiftly promised retaliation, claiming Pakistani airstrikes on Sunday had already killed dozens in border regions.

The Afghan defence ministry said Friday it “successfully conducted” retaliatory drone strikes against Pakistani military targets.

Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said anti-drone systems intercepted several small unmanned aerial vehicles over the northwestern cities of Abbottabad, Swabi, and Nowshera.

Tarar said the drones appeared to be part of a failed TTP attack that caused no casualties, adding the incident “once again exposed direct linkages between the Afghan Taliban regime and terrorism.”

In eastern Nangarhar province, Afghan officials said Pakistani mortar fire hit civilian areas in the Torkham border region, including a refugee camp that officials had evacuated overnight.

Officials reported ground clashes in multiple sectors along the 2,640-kilometre (1,640-mile) Durand Line, a mountainous, colonial-era frontier drawn in 1893 that Afghanistan has never formally recognised.

A state-run Afghan media outlet in Nangarhar shared an image of what it described as a battalion of suicide attackers equipped with explosive vests and car bombs, preparing to strike major targets.

Heavy losses

Both nations reported inflicting severe casualties and issued sharply differing figures that could not be independently verified.

Mosharraf Ali Zaidi, a spokesperson for Pakistan’s prime minister, said the military killed 133 Afghan Taliban fighters and wounded more than 200, destroying 27 posts in response to “unprovoked Afghan attacks.”

Zaidi denied Afghan claims that Pakistani soldiers had been captured, placing Pakistani casualties in the single digits.

Conversely, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed, and 19 posts seized. Mujahid said eight Taliban fighters were killed and 13 civilians were injured in Nangarhar.

Pakistan has placed its forces on high alert, fearing an escalation of militant strikes in urban centres. Security operations in Punjab province moved 90 Afghan nationals to holding centres for deportation.

Mass deportations

The military confrontation exacerbates a severe humanitarian crisis.

Citing security concerns, Pakistan launched a sweeping crackdown in October 2023 to expel undocumented Afghan migrants, alongside a similar initiative by neighbouring Iran.

Millions have since crossed the border, including people born in Pakistan decades ago. The UN refugee agency reported 2.9 million people returned to Afghanistan last year, with nearly 80,000 returning so far this year.

Pakistani authorities said they relocated dozens of remaining Afghan refugees near the Torkham crossing to safer places on Friday.

The prospect of a protracted conflict has triggered international alarm.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged both sides to protect civilians and resolve differences through diplomacy, spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held emergency phone calls with his Pakistani, Afghan, Qatari, and Saudi counterparts on Friday to discuss the conflict.

Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia previously facilitated talks in October after border clashes killed dozens.

Russia called for an immediate halt to the fighting, with presidential envoy Zamir Kabulov offering Moscow’s mediation.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also offered Tehran’s assistance in facilitating dialogue during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.