‘Our patience has now run out’: Pakistan declares ‘open war’ against Afghanistan after cross-border attack – live news | Afghanistan
Opening summary
Good morning, Taz Ali is here to bring you the latest developments in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border clashes.
Pakistan declares “open war” against neighboring Afghanistan after both parties have exchanged deadly cross-border fire last night Explosions were reported in Kabul and other major Afghan cities.
Pakistan launches Operation Ghazab lil-Haq (roughly translated as “Righteous Rage”) against the Afghan Taliban in response to what he called “unprovoked fire” in various parts of the border.. According to local news, Pakistani forces An air strike was carried out on military targets in Afghanistan’s capital Kabulas well as in the Kandahar and Paktia provinces near the border.
“We have run out of patience. There is now an open war between us.” Pakistani defense minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif wrote about X.
Read our report on this story here:
important events
Afghanistan claims drones hit Pakistani targets
Both countries have shared conflicting statements about drone attacks reportedly launched by the Taliban against Pakistan.
The Taliban in Afghanistan have “successfully” carried out airstrikes using drones to hit military targets in Pakistan, the defense ministry and a government spokesman said.
Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that Pakistani Taliban militants tried to use drones against targets in Pakistan, but they were shot down by anti-drone systems and “there was no harm to life.”
The reports could not be independently verified.
Pakistani state broadcaster PTV reported this morning that Islamabad jets were patrolling the skies of Afghanistan. Kandahar After launching airstrikes against Taliban targets.
“Pakistan’s armed forces are fully prepared for any attack and have the capacity to mount an appropriate response,” security sources were quoted by the broadcaster as saying. he said.
According to local news, Pakistani security sources said they destroyed the Taliban ammunition depot in Kandahar.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk He also expressed concern over the “sharp increase in civilian casualties” and called for “urgent political dialogue” to end the hostilities.
“This situation requires urgent political dialogue rather than escalating the use of force,” Turk said. in question.
Countries call for calm and restraint
Saudi Arabia Pakistani foreign ministers spoke today to discuss de-escalation, according to the Riyadh foreign office. Both countries have long-standing defence, diplomatic and economic ties, but it is unclear whether Saudi Arabia will broker a ceasefire.
RussiaThe Taliban, the only country to officially recognize the Taliban government, called on both sides to return to the negotiating table “to resolve all differences through political and diplomatic means.”
“We call on our friends Afghanistan and Pakistan to avoid dangerous conflicts,” Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.
of china The State Department said it was mediating the conflict through its own channels and was “deeply concerned” by the escalation of tensions. Pakistan is one of China’s closest partners in the region but considers itself a “friendly neighbor” of Afghanistan.
Foreign ministry spokesman Mao Ning said China “urges both sides to remain calm and show restraint, achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible and prevent further bloodshed.”
There was no reaction from Afghanistan to Asif’s statements about “open war”. Taliban government says Afghan forces attacked Pakistani border troops last night In retaliation for Islamabad’s earlier airstrikes.
“In response to repeated insurgencies and insurgencies by the Pakistani army, large-scale offensive operations were launched against Pakistani military bases and military installations along the Durand Line,” Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in X, referring to the 1,600-mile-long border between the two countries.
Afghan officials in eastern Nangarhar province said: Clashes continued in the Torkham border area This morning, according to the AP news agency.
There is conflicting information about the death toll on both sides. While Afghanistan claimed 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed and “several were captured alive”, eight of its own fighters also died. Pakistan reported 133 Afghan fighters and two soldiers killed but denied any were captured.
Tension comes after Qatar and Türkiye mediate A ceasefire was signed between the two countries in October. When Dozens of soldiers, civilians and suspected militants were killed in deadly border clashes. Several rounds of negotiations have been held since then, but to no avail.
Opening summary
Good morning, Taz Ali is here to bring you the latest developments in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border clashes.
Pakistan declares “open war” against neighboring Afghanistan after both parties have exchanged deadly cross-border fire last night Explosions were reported in Kabul and other major Afghan cities.
Pakistan launches Operation Ghazab lil-Haq (roughly translated as “Righteous Wrath”) against the Afghan Taliban in response to what he called “unprovoked fire” in various parts of the border.. According to local news, Pakistani forces An air strike was carried out on military targets in Afghanistan’s capital Kabulas well as in the Kandahar and Paktia provinces near the border.
“We have run out of patience. There is now an open war between us.” Pakistani defense minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif wrote about X.
Read our report on this story here:
