Pakistan declares ‘open war’ on Taliban

Pakistan has declared an “open war” against the Taliban, launching airstrikes in Kabul as well as on Taliban military targets in the provinces of Kandahar and Paktia in response to cross-border shelling on Thursday.

According to The Guardian, the escalation between the two countries has occurred despite a ceasefire agreement brokered by Qatar and signed in 2025.

Pakistan’s Defense Minister, Khawaja Asif, announced the start of an “open war” against the Taliban in Afghanistan. Islamabad claims it has killed 133 Afghan soldiers and destroyed 27 outposts. Kabul, for its part, reports that eight Afghan soldiers were killed and 11 others wounded.