Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif announced on Friday that his nation now fights in “open war” with Afghanistan after cross-border attacks erupted overnight between the two neighbors after months of rising tensions. Afghanistan launched strikes Thursday, claiming retaliation for deadly Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan border areas Sunday. Pakistan responded with early Friday airstrikes targeting Kabul and two other Afghan provinces.
Both governments reported sharply differing casualty numbers from the recent fighting. Pakistan’s army spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry claimed operations killed at least 274 Afghan forces members. Afghan spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid rejected these claims as “false” during televised comments from Kandahar Friday. Mujahid stated 55 Pakistani soldiers died while thirteen Afghan soldiers lost their lives during exchanges. Independent verification of either side’s casualty claims remains impossible currently.
“Our Patience Has Run Out”
Asif posted on X, “Our patience has now run out. Now it is open war between us.” The minister said Pakistan expected peace after NATO’s 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. Instead, he accused the Taliban of turning Afghanistan “into a colony of India.” Pakistan and India have fought wars since independence from British colonial rule in 1947.
Mujahid countered: “We have targeted important military targets in Pakistan, sending a message that our hands can reach their throats.” He added: “Pakistan has never sought to resolve problems through dialogue.”
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held separate phone calls with Pakistani, Afghan, Qatari and Saudi counterparts Friday. Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia previously facilitated talks between the sides during October. UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged both sides to protect civilians under international law requirements. Russia called for immediate fighting halt and offered mediation if both countries requested assistance. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged dialogue resolution during the holy Ramadan month.
Terrorism Allegations Continue
Asif accused Afghanistan of “exporting terrorism” across the porous western border. Islamabad frequently alleges the Taliban harbors Pakistani Taliban militants who stage cross-border attacks. Mujahid said, “Pakistan’s internal conflict is a purely domestic issue and is not a new one.” Both the TTP and Kabul deny operating from inside Afghan territory claims.
Pakistani authorities relocated dozens of Afghan refugees from the Torkham border area to safer locations Friday. Pakistan launched a 2023 crackdown expelling migrants without documents from the country. The UN refugee agency reported 2.9 million people returned to Afghanistan during 2025. Nearly 80,000 refugees have crossed back into Afghanistan so far this year.
Afghan authorities reported ongoing fighting in the Torkham border area Friday morning. Nangarhar province’s information directorate said Pakistani mortar fire hit civilian areas including an evacuated refugee camp. Afghanistan targeted Pakistani army posts across the border in response to the morning attacks.
