Nuclear Power Declares ‘Open War’ — What Just Erupted Along A Fragile Border

Pakistan’s defense minister said Thursday that it was now “open war” between Pakistan and Afghanistan after violent border clashes, as both countries traded accusations over the escalating conflict.  

Afghanistan has been governed by the Taliban since the American withdrawal in 2021.

Afghan forces launched “preemptive” attacks Thursday on Pakistani military bases along the 1,640-mile border shared by the two countries, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said. Pakistan responded with airstrikes and cross-border attacks targeting Taliban military posts. 

“In response to repeated border violations and provocations from Pakistani military circles, extensive preemptive operations have been launched against Pakistani military centers and paramilitary installations along the Durand Line,” Mujahid wrote on social media Thursday.  The Durand Line is the disputed border between the two countries.

Pakistan, a nuclear power, called the Afghan attacks “unprovoked” and said its military had begun retaliatory strikes. 

“Taliban regime forces are being delivered punishment in Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram and Bajaur sectors. Early reports confirm heavy casualties on Afghan side with multiple posts and equipment destroyed,” Pakistan’s Ministry of Information posted on X. 

The Pakistani response included airstrikes on the cities of Kabul and Kandahar. The Taliban said no one was injured in those strikes. 

Pakistan spokesman Mosharraf Zaidi said the cross-border attacks had killed 133 Taliban fighters and wounded an additional 200. He added that 27 Taliban posts were destroyed and nine were captured. 

In a later statement, Pakistan’s defense minister Khawaja Asif accused Afghanistan of becoming a “proxy for India” and harboring terrorists. 

“The Taliban turned Afghanistan into a colony of India. They gathered all the terrorists of the world in Afghanistan and began exporting terrorism. They deprived their own people of basic human rights,” Asif said. “Pakistan made every effort to keep the situation normal through direct means and through friendly countries. It engaged in full-fledged diplomacy. But the Taliban became a proxy for India.”

“Our cup of patience has overflowed. Now it is open war between us and you,” he added. “We are your neighbors; we know your ins and outs.”

Last weekend, Pakistan launched airstrikes in Eastern Afghanistan at locations it said were being used by Islamic State terrorists. After those strikes, the Taliban said it would give an “appropriate and measured response.” 

The violent exchanges follow a ceasefire agreement reached in October 2025 after similar deadly clashes along the border.