Khawaja Asif Calls It ‘Open War’ With Afghanistan, Draws India Into Dispute, Check What He Said

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have sharply intensified after Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared what he described as an "open war" with the Taliban-led Afghan government.

The strong statement came following fresh cross-border clashes between the two neighbouring countries.

The situation has grown more serious after Pakistan also dragged India into the dispute, making fresh allegations amid the escalating crisis.

Clashes After Airstrikes

The latest round of fighting began after Pakistan carried out airstrikes earlier in the week in Afghanistan's eastern provinces, including Nangarhar and Paktia. Islamabad said the strikes targeted militant groups operating near the border.

However, Afghan officials claimed the air raids hit civilian areas and violated their country's sovereignty. In response, Afghanistan's military said heavy clashes broke out late Thursday night along the border.

Pakistan confirmed that fighting had taken place but rejected Afghan claims that Pakistani army posts were captured. Islamabad described Afghanistan's attack as "unprovoked" and defended its earlier airstrikes as action against militants.

'Open War' Statement

Amid the rising violence, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif posted a strong message on social media, saying, "Our patience has reached its limit. Now it is open war between us and you."

The statement marked a sharp escalation in rhetoric, signalling how serious the tensions have become between the two countries.
While neither side has formally declared war through official channels, the use of such language has raised concerns about further military confrontation.

India's Name Drawn Into the Dispute

In a controversial move, Khawaja Asif also brought India into the discussion. He alleged that the Taliban had turned Afghanistan into what he described as a "colony of India."

The statement did not include evidence to support the claim, and there was no immediate official response from India. However, such allegations add another layer of complexity to an already tense regional situation.

India has maintained diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan in recent years, but it has not been directly involved in the current border clashes between Islamabad and Kabul.

A Long-Standing Border Dispute

The roots of the conflict lie along the 2,611-kilometre Durand Line, the disputed border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Afghanistan has never formally recognised this boundary, and the issue has caused friction for decades.

Pakistan has frequently accused Afghanistan of failing to act against militant groups that allegedly launch attacks inside Pakistani territory. The Taliban government has denied these accusations and instead accused Pakistan of violating Afghan airspace.

Months of Rising Tensions

The latest clashes are not an isolated incident. In recent months, both countries have exchanged accusations and engaged in intermittent border firing.

Deadly fighting last year further strained relations, leading to partial closures of border crossings. Several attempts at negotiation and ceasefire arrangements failed to produce a lasting peace.

With strong statements, cross-border strikes and renewed accusations, the situation between Pakistan and Afghanistan remains fragile.
Observers say that continued escalation could destabilise the wider region, especially if diplomatic channels fail to calm tensions. The coming days will determine whether both sides choose dialogue or further confrontation.