Taliban authorities said on Friday that they carried out coordinated air strikes against Pakistani military facilities. They claimed the targets included a site near Islamabad. The announcement comes as tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan continue to rise.
In an official statement, the Taliban Defence Ministry said the air force of the Ministry of National Defense launched the strikes at around 11:00 am local time. The ministry said the targets included locations near Faizabad, a military camp in Nowshera, an army base in Jamrud, and a military complex in Abbottabad.
The Taliban described the operation as successful. They claimed that key Pakistani military facilities were hit.
However, these claims could not be independently verified. Pakistani authorities did not immediately respond to the allegations.
Retaliation for Overnight Bombing
Taliban officials said the strikes were a response to Pakistani air attacks carried out overnight on Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia.
Earlier, the Taliban claimed they had attacked Pakistani border outposts. They said 55 Pakistani personnel were killed in that operation. Pakistan gave a different account. It said 133 Taliban members were killed in its overnight strikes. Meanwhile, Taliban authorities insisted that they suffered no casualties.
The latest escalation followed earlier Pakistani air strikes in parts of Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia.
Pakistan Declares “Open War”
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif described the situation as an “open war” with Afghanistan.
In a post on X, he said Islamabad’s “patience has reached its limit”. He also alleged that Afghanistan had become “a colony of India”. He stated that Pakistan had tried to calm the situation through direct talks and with the help of friendly countries. However, he accused Afghanistan of continuing aggressive actions.
Asif also criticised the Taliban government over human rights issues. He specifically mentioned concerns about the treatment of women.
Iran Offers to Mediate
Amid the growing crisis, Iran stepped forward with an offer to mediate. Iranian officials said they are ready to help facilitate dialogue between Afghanistan and Pakistan. They expressed willingness to promote understanding and cooperation between the two neighbours.
As both sides exchange claims and counterclaims, the situation remains tense. Independent confirmation of battlefield reports is still limited, and diplomatic efforts may now play a key role in preventing further escalation.