Summary
On Friday, Pakistan conducted air strikes on the Afghan capital Kabul, as well as Kandahar and Paktia, targeting military sites controlled by the Taliban. This marked an escalation in tensions following cross-border attacks by Afghan forces that Pakistan claimed killed 55 of its soldiers. The conflict has worsened after a breakdown in the ceasefire previously brokered by Turkiye and Qatar.
Key Facts
- Pakistan carried out air strikes on Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia, targeting Taliban sites.
- The strikes followed Afghan cross-border attacks claiming the lives of 55 Pakistani soldiers.
- Pakistan's government declared "open war" on the Taliban, stating there will be no leniency in defending its territory.
- Pakistan claims 133 Afghan fighters were killed and 27 Afghan outposts destroyed in retaliation.
- A ceasefire, negotiated by Turkiye and Qatar, ended after prior fighting in October.
- A series of violent incidents in Pakistan, attributed to Afghan nationals, contributed to the escalation.
- Pakistan's strikes were partly in response to attacks linked to the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), which has ties to the Afghan Taliban.
- Pakistan also claims Afghanistan shelters the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a group fighting for independence in southwest Pakistan.
