Pakistan-Afghanistan War Update: Afghanistan Ready To Talk After Pakistan Strikes Several Cities

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Friday declared an "open war" with Afghanistan's Taliban government, marking a serious escalation in tensions between the two neighbours.

Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq and carried out airstrikes in Kabul and two other Afghan provinces early Friday. Islamabad said the strikes were in retaliation for what it described as cross-border attacks from Afghanistan.

Heavy Casualties Reported on Both Sides

As fighting intensified along the border, both countries claimed high casualties.
Afghanistan's ministry reportedly said that 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed in retaliatory operations along the Durand Line on Thursday. On the other hand, Pakistan claimed it killed more than 130 Taliban fighters in its military response.

These numbers have not been independently verified, but they reflect the seriousness of the current conflict.

The Durand Line, a 2,611-kilometre border between the two countries, has long been a source of dispute. Kabul has never officially recognised it as an international boundary.

Pakistan Accuses Taliban of Supporting Militants

Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar strongly criticised the Taliban government. He accused Afghanistan of providing "safe havens, training and facilitation" to militants who carry out attacks inside Pakistan.

According to Tarar, recent attacks from Afghanistan were "unprovoked" and forced Pakistan to respond militarily. He said Pakistani forces neutralised attackers and captured several enemy posts during the operation.

Tarar also alleged there is an "undeniable nexus" between the Afghan Taliban and terrorist organisations operating on Pakistani soil.

Strong Words Against Taliban Governance

In a sharp statement, Tarar criticised the Taliban's system of governance. He claimed the regime "institutionalises slavery" and systematically erases the rights of women and minorities.

He described the Taliban's rule as repressive and said its actions and interpretation of religion have "nothing to do with Islam."

These remarks underline the growing political and ideological divide between the two governments.

Afghanistan Signals Willingness for Talks

Despite the airstrikes and rising tensions, Afghanistan indicated it is open to dialogue. After Pakistan carried out strikes in Kabul, Kandahar and other areas, Taliban authorities said they were willing to negotiate.

Fighting, however, continued along the border, with both sides reporting significant losses.

China Calls for Ceasefire

China has also expressed concern over the situation. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning urged both countries to agree to a ceasefire as soon as possible.
Beijing called for restraint and peaceful dialogue to prevent further escalation in the region.

A Dangerous Turning Point

The latest developments mark one of the most serious confrontations between Pakistan and the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan.

The long-standing border dispute, cross-border militancy, and rising mistrust have now turned into direct military action. While Afghanistan has shown readiness for talks, Pakistan's declaration of "open war" signals that tensions remain extremely high.

Whether diplomacy can calm the situation or whether the conflict will deepen further remains uncertain. For now, the region stands at a critical and dangerous turning point.