Pakistan’s air strikes on Taliban positions in Afghanistan represent the most serious breakdown yet in relations between two sides once regarded as strategic allies. While the escalation may appear sudden, it stems from years of deepening mistrust, cross-border militancy, and the erosion of fragile security arrangements along one of the world’s most volatile frontiers.
Officials said Pakistan carried out the strikes early Friday after Afghan forces launched an attack on Pakistani border troops. Both sides reported significant casualties in the clashes, which Pakistan’s defense minister described as an “open war.” Tensions had already been rising after Pakistan conducted air strikes on militant targets inside Afghanistan last weekend, further straining relations between the two countries.
How many died?
The Pakistani government has said its forces killed at least 133 Taliban fighters in cross-border strikes inside Afghanistan, describing the action as retaliation for Taliban attacks on Pakistani border posts.
Mosharraf Zaidi, a spokesperson for Pakistan’s prime minister handling foreign media communications, stated in an update issued at 3:45 am that Pakistani counterstrikes targeting what he termed Taliban military positions in Afghanistan were ongoing.
“A total of 133 Afghan Taliban have been confirmed killed, with more than 200 wounded,” Zaidi said, adding that further casualties were expected following strikes in Kabul, Paktia, and Kandahar.