Pakistan says ‘open war’ with Afghanistan as jets bomb Kabul
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said it is now “open war” between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban government, as explosions are reported in Kabul and fighting continues along the border.
The latest escalation follows weeks of clashes along the countries’ shared border, with both sides claiming that dozens of people have been killed.
Hours earlier, Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Afghanistan was carrying out “large-scale offensive operations” against the Pakistani military “along the Durand Line” that separates the two countries.
Afghanistan’s Defence Ministry said the clashes lasted about four hours, during which light and medium weapons were used. It added that the military operation was stopped at midnight local time by order of the Afghan chief of staff, who said the operation’s “specified objectives” were achieved.
The Taliban government says eight Taliban fighters were killed and 11 wounded. It added that it killed 55 Pakistani soldiers, and captured two military bases and 19 military posts.
Pakistan says it killed 133 Taliban fighters, and that two of its security personnel died. According to Afghanistan, 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed, while eight of its fighters died in the attacks.
Countries around the world are urging the warring parties to show restraint.
