Pakistan Declares 'Open War' on Afghanistan

Cross-border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan have sharply escalated, with Pakistan declaring 'open war' on Afghanistan and carrying out airstrikes in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia. Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, accused the Taliban-led administration of harbouring militants and exporting terrorism, stating that Pakistan's patience has run out. In response, Afghanistan's spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, condemned the Pakistani military's actions as 'cowardly'. Afghanistan's Ministry of National Defence claimed retaliatory operations along the Durand Line, resulting in casualties for Pakistani soldiers and the capture of military posts. Pakistan, in turn, launched 'Ghazab Lil Haq' operation targeting the Afghan Taliban regime, claiming significant casualties and destruction of Taliban posts. The tensions are centered around the disputed Durand Line, a colonial-era border that Afghanistan has never formally accepted, and mutual accusations of territorial violations and sheltering militants. Former Afghan president Hamid Karzai also criticised Pakistan's actions.