Open War Update: 12 Pakistani Soldiers, 274 Taliban Fighters Killed says Pakistan’s Military Media

Pakistan and Afghanistan are now reportedly engaged in an "open war," with significant casualties reported on both sides following airstrikes and ground clashes along the border. The escalation has drawn international attention, with neighboring India condemning Pakistan’s military actions.

According to Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of Pakistan’s military media wing, Pakistani airstrikes across Afghanistan—including in the capital Kabul—have killed 274 Taliban fighters and injured an additional 400. Chaudhry also stated that 115 Taliban tanks were destroyed, 83 Afghan military posts were damaged, and 17 posts were captured by Pakistani forces. He added that 22 military targets in Afghanistan had been struck during the operations.

Pakistan’s army confirmed the deaths of 12 of its soldiers and injuries to 27 more during the clashes. Defence Minister Khwaja Asif publicly described the situation as an “open war” on social media, stating, “Our patience has now run out. It is open war between us now.” Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif echoed Asif’s rhetoric, asserting that Pakistan’s armed forces have the “full capability” to defeat aggressors, with the nation united in support of its military.

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The Taliban, meanwhile, offered a contrasting narrative. Hours before Pakistan’s declaration, Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid said Afghanistan was conducting “large-scale offensive operations” against Pakistani forces. Following Pakistan’s airstrikes, Mujahid emphasized that Afghanistan still seeks a peaceful resolution, calling for dialogue to de-escalate tensions. The Taliban also claimed that 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed and that 19 military posts were seized during the fighting.

The regional implications of the conflict are drawing concern. India, in particular, condemned Pakistan’s actions, describing the airstrikes as an attempt to externalize domestic challenges. Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, posted on X that the strikes were “another attempt by Pakistan to externalize its internal failures.”

The escalation highlights the fragile security environment along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, where longstanding tensions and cross-border militant activity have periodically flared into violence. Analysts warn that without immediate dialogue, the conflict could further destabilize the region, affecting not only Pakistan and Afghanistan but also their neighbors and international security efforts.

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