Taliban’s Offensive Ignites the Flashpoint (Image Credits: Media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com)
Kabul – Pakistani forces struck targets across Afghanistan, including the capital, on Friday in response to overnight attacks by Afghan Taliban fighters on border positions, marking a sharp escalation in hostilities between the neighbors.[1][2]
Taliban’s Offensive Ignites the Flashpoint
Afghan Taliban forces initiated a large-scale operation late Thursday against Pakistani military installations along the shared border. The assault targeted positions in provinces such as Nangarhar, Nuristan, Kunar, Khost, Paktia, and Paktika.[2] Officials in Kabul claimed the action destroyed 19 Pakistani army posts and two bases during four hours of intense fighting.[1]
Pakistan described the incursion as unprovoked aggression. Military spokesmen reported Taliban fighters opened fire on multiple sites in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, prompting an immediate counteraction. This followed earlier cross-border exchanges earlier in the week, including Pakistani strikes on suspected militant camps.[3]
Airstrikes Hit Afghan Heartland
Pakistan responded swiftly with airstrikes on 22 locations deep inside Afghanistan. Warplanes bombed military sites in Kabul, Kandahar, Paktia, Jalalabad, and Paktika, among others. The operation, dubbed Ghazab Lil Haq or “Righteous Fury,” aimed at Taliban defense facilities and border posts.[1][4]
Afghanistan countered with drone strikes on Pakistani targets, including sites near Nowshehra, Abbottabad, and Swabi. Pakistani defenses intercepted the drones, reporting no significant damage. Heavy artillery exchanges continued at key crossings like Torkham.[2]
- Kabul: Capital targeted in major escalation
- Kandahar: Taliban leadership hub struck
- Paktia and Paktika: Border provinces hit hard
- Jalalabad: Civilian reports of family home destroyed
- Nangarhar and Khost: Earlier militant camp sites
Clashing Claims on Casualties
Both sides reported heavy losses inflicted on the opponent while minimizing their own. Pakistan’s military stated 274 Taliban fighters died and over 400 suffered injuries, with 73 posts destroyed and 18 captured. Twelve Pakistani soldiers perished, 27 were wounded, and one remained missing.[2]
Afghan officials countered that 55 Pakistani soldiers died, with bodies recovered and others captured. They acknowledged eight of their soldiers killed and 11 injured, alongside civilian deaths from strikes on a Jalalabad home and a Paktika religious school. Independent verification proved elusive amid the chaos.[1]
| Side | Claims Against Enemy | Own Losses |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 274 Taliban killed, 400+ injured | 12 soldiers killed |
| Afghanistan | 55 Pakistani soldiers killed | 8 soldiers, civilians killed |
Rhetoric Hardens as Patience Runs Out
Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif announced the nation now waged “open war” with Afghanistan. He accused the Taliban of acting as a proxy for India and harboring global terrorists, declaring patience had overflowed after years of hosting Afghan refugees.[1] Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif affirmed forces stood ready to defend sovereignty without leniency.[2]
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid emphasized dialogue despite the fighting. Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai urged Pakistan to pursue neighborly relations. International voices, including the UN and China, called for restraint during Ramadan.[4]
Deep-Rooted Border Tensions Erupt
The 2,611-kilometer Durand Line has long fueled disputes. Pakistan blamed Taliban inaction against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan militants for recent attacks, including a mosque bombing in Islamabad. Earlier February strikes by Pakistan targeted such groups in Nangarhar and Paktika.[3]
A fragile October ceasefire had held uneasily until this surge. Analysts noted a shift toward striking regime targets, not just militants, raising fears of prolonged conflict.[2]
Key Takeaways
- Pakistan views strikes as retaliation for Taliban-enabled terrorism.
- Taliban insists on defensive actions and seeks talks.
- Global powers push mediation to avert wider war.
This flare-up transforms simmering grievances into overt confrontation, with risks to regional stability looming large. Observers watch for diplomatic breakthroughs amid ongoing clashes. What steps should leaders take next? Share your views in the comments.
