Deadly cross-border warfare between Pakistan and Afghanistan intensified Friday, with both sides claiming massive casualties in airstrikes, ground clashes, and retaliatory attacks along the Durand Line. Pakistan's military declared "open war" after Afghan forces struck first late Thursday, prompting Islamabad's Operation Ghazab lil Haq that bombed targets in Kabul, Kandahar, Paktia, Nangarhar, Khost, and Paktika.
Pakistan's ISPR spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry stated that operations killed 274 Taliban fighters and officials, wounded over 400, destroyed 73 posts, and captured 18, with 12 Pakistani soldiers killed, 27 injured, and one missing. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned of decisive responses, saying Pakistan's patience had "run out" and forces could "crush any aggression."
Afghanistan's Taliban government countered fiercely: spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid reported 55 Pakistani soldiers killed, with bodies of 23 recovered and others captured alive, plus two bases and 19 posts seized in operations across Paktika, Paktia, Khost, Nangarhar, Kunar, and Nuristan. Kabul admitted 13 fighters killed and 22 wounded, while civilian tolls included 13-18 dead or injured from strikes, including on a returnee camp near Torkham and a religious school in Paktika.
Additional incidents: Taliban drones targeted Pakistani sites in Abbottabad, Swabi, and Nowshera but were foiled; a schoolgirl was injured in Swabi drone attack. High alerts swept Pakistani cities like Karachi and Islamabad, banning UAVs.
Rooted in Pakistan's accusations that the Taliban harbors TTP militants launching attacks, the violence shattered a fragile 2025 ceasefire. International calls for de-escalation came from China, Russia, Iran, the UK, UN, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey, with mediation efforts underway.
Casualty figures remain unverified independently, underscoring the fog of war amid fears of broader regional fallout.
Also read: Pakistan declares ‘open war’ against Afghanistan
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