Islamabad/Kabul: Pakistan has carried out cross border military strikes into Afghanistan, declaring what officials described as an “open war” against the Taliban, following a series of attacks blamed on militant groups operating from Afghan territory.
According to Pakistani security sources, fighter jets and artillery targeted multiple locations near the Afghanistan – Pakistan border where armed groups were believed to be based. The strikes reportedly focused on training camps and logistics sites used by militants accused of launching recent attacks inside Pakistan.
Pakistan’s military said the action was taken in “self defence” after repeated warnings to the Taliban authorities in Kabul failed to produce results. Officials accused the Taliban of sheltering and supporting fighters responsible for violence in Pakistan’s border regions, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
The Taliban administration in Kabul condemned the strikes, calling them a violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty. Afghan officials said civilians were among those killed and injured and warned that continued attacks could further destabilize the region.
Independent verification of casualty figures remains difficult due to limited access to the affected areas. However, local sources on both sides of the border reported deaths and injuries, raising fears of a wider escalation.
Regional analysts say the confrontation reflects worsening relations between Islamabad and the Taliban government since the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan. Pakistan has repeatedly demanded stronger action against militant groups operating from Afghan soil, while the Taliban denies allowing its territory to be used for attacks against neighboring countries.
The latest strikes mark one of the most serious military escalations between Pakistan and Afghanistan in recent years. Diplomatic channels remain active, but no immediate talks have been announced.
International observers have urged restraint, warning that open conflict between the two neighbors could deepen humanitarian suffering and further destabilize South Asia.
As tensions rise, residents in border districts on both sides report increased troop movements and heightened security, while fears grow that the violence could spill over into civilian areas.
