"Patience reached its limit, now open war": Pakistan-Afghanistan border conflict escalates; Afghan Taliban ready for talks

KARACHI: Pakistan's military attacked Afghanistan, declaring war. Bombs were dropped on 22 centres, including Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktika. The offices of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan were destroyed. Pakistan claims to have killed 274 Taliban members and militants and destroyed 27 military posts and ammunition depots. However, the Taliban claims that drone attacks were carried out in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad and their military bases and that a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet was shot down. Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar responded by saying that small drones that had come to Abbottabad, Swabi and Nowshera were shot down and that there were no casualties.

There are reports that many civilians were also killed in Afghanistan. During the conflict between the two countries, 18 people, including women and children, were killed in a Pakistani airstrike on the 21st of this month, which turned into a war. Afghanistan attacked Pakistani border posts on the night of the 26th. Afghanistan claimed to have killed 55 Pakistani soldiers and captured 19 military posts and two bases.

Before dawn, Pakistan launched a counter-offensive called 'Operation Ghazab lil-Haq ' (wrath for justice or anger for the truth). There was heavy firing and shelling, including at the Torkham border crossing. A refugee camp near Torkham was destroyed in Pakistani shelling, injuring many people.

Saudi intervention for ceasefire

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar have started efforts for an emergency ceasefire. The Taliban have announced that they are ready for talks. Countries such as China, Russia and Iran have urged both countries to exercise restraint.

Conflict began in October

1. The conflict began with a bomb attack by Pakistan in Kabul on October 9. Several deaths in both countries in border clashes
2. Pakistan claims that Afghanistan is providing shelter to groups like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, which is responsible for several terrorist attacks. The Taliban rejected the claim
3. Qatar intervened on October 19 and implemented a ceasefire, but it was violated. On February 6, a suicide bombing at a mosque in Islamabad killed 31 people. On the 21st, 18 were killed in a Pakistani airstrike in Afghanistan

"Our patience has reached its limit. Now it is open war between us and you"

- Khawaja Asif, Defense Minister, Pakistan