Pakistan declares ‘open war’ on Afghanistan, says 130 Taliban fighters killed in Operation ‘Ghazab lil Haq’

Pakistan said it has killed more than 130 Taliban fighters in Afghanistan in a retaliatory military campaign dubbed ‘Operation Ghazab lil Haq’, launched in response to alleged cross-border attacks by Afghan forces.

The operation began late Thursday night after, according to Islamabad, the Afghan Taliban targeted several Pakistani border posts. By Friday, Pakistani airstrikes had hit major Afghan cities, including the capital Kabul, with Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declaring the situation amounted to “open war” following months of escalating tit-for-tat clashes.

Asif said Pakistan’s armed forces were delivering a “strong and decisive response” to aggression from the Afghan Taliban. In Kabul, fighter jets were heard overhead, followed by multiple loud explosions and sustained gunfire lasting more than two hours, according to AFP. An AFP reporter in Kandahar — where Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada is based — also reported hearing jets.

‘Open war’ declaration

Asif said Pakistan had made repeated efforts to normalise ties, both directly and through friendly countries, but warned that “our patience has run out. Now there is an open war.” He added that Pakistan had previously played a “positive” role, including hosting millions of Afghan refugees.

Tensions between the two neighbours have remained high since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Major clashes in October last year left around 70 people dead on both sides.

Islamabad accuses the Taliban of sheltering militant groups responsible for rising violence in Pakistan, particularly the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has waged a long-running insurgency. Kabul denies the charge and counters that Pakistan harbours groups targeting Afghanistan while violating Afghan sovereignty.

The latest cycle of violence traces back to clashes on the October 11–12 weekend of 2025, when Afghanistan launched retaliatory strikes after blaming Pakistan for an attack in Kabul. Since then, both sides have carried out intermittent cross-border strikes, leaving dozens dead.

Attempts at de-escalation — including an initial ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Turkey — have failed to produce a lasting agreement.

Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the latest Pakistani airstrikes but said there were no casualties. “The cowardly Pakistani military has carried out airstrikes in certain areas of Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia; fortunately, there have been no reported casualties,” he wrote on X early Friday.

Hours earlier, Mujahid had announced “large-scale offensive operations” along the border in response to what he described as repeated violations by the Pakistani military. Afghanistan’s defence ministry said eight of its soldiers were killed in the ensuing ground offensive.