Pak-Afg War

Pakistan-Afghanistan updates: Deadly cross-border fighting intensifies

Pakistan strikes Kabul, declares ‘open war’ on Afghanistan following clashes

Pakistan strikes Kabul, declares ‘open war’ on Afghanistan following clashes

By Lyndal Rowlands, Erin Hale, Zaid Sabah, Umut Uras, Edna Mohamed and Nils Adler

Pakistan says “operation is continuing” in Afghanistan after hours of cross-border attacks have caused casualties on both sides.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif says it is now “open war” between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban government as explosions are reported in Kabul and fighting continues along the border.

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.

Pakistan says it killed 297 Taliban fighters, and two of its security personnel died. According to Afghanistan, 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed while eight of its fighters died in the attacks. The figures could not be independently verified.

The latest escalation follows weeks of fighting along the countries’ shared border, with both claiming that dozens of people have been killed.