Pakistan Bombs Afghan Cities, Minister Says it is ‘Open War’: Reports

Pakistan launched air and ground strikes overnight on Taliban government targets in major Afghan cities, officials from both countries said on Friday, as tensions between the neighbours escalated sharply, according a report by news agency Reuters.

“Our cup of patience has overflowed. Now it is open war between us and you (Afghanistan),” the report quoted Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif as saying.

Pakistani security sources said the operation targeted Taliban posts, headquarters and ammunition depots across multiple sectors along the border. Both sides reported heavy casualties, though the figures could not be independently verified, Reuters said.

Islamabad has accused Kabul of harbouring militants responsible for attacks inside Pakistan, a charge the Taliban deny, saying Pakistan’s security problems are internal, the report said.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistani forces carried out air strikes in parts of Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia.

“Pakistani counter-strikes against targets in Afghanistan continue,” Pakistan government spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi posted on Twitter, calling the action a response to “unprovoked Afghan attacks.”

Reuters witnesses in Kabul reported hearing loud explosions, jet aircraft and ambulance sirens through the night.

Zaidi said 133 Afghan Taliban fighters were killed and more than 200 wounded, with 27 posts destroyed and nine captured, according to the Reuters report. Mujahid, however, said 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 19 posts seized. He said eight Taliban fighters were killed, 11 wounded, and 13 civilians injured in Nangarhar province.