The Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has announced a formal declaration of war against the Afghan Taliban as tensions escalate between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The declaration follows significant airstrikes launched by Pakistani forces on major Afghan cities, including Kabul and Kandahar, which reportedly targeted Taliban positions. Asif stated, 'Our patience has broken. Now there is open war between you and us,' highlighting the severity of the situation and the increasing conflict between the neighboring countries.

The airstrikes were executed early on Friday, with Pakistani officials claiming they were a response to attacks by Afghan forces on Pakistani border troops. In counter to the Pakistani narrative, the Taliban accused Pakistan of aggression and framed the airstrikes as retaliatory actions, escalating the blame game between both nations. The situation remains tense, particularly since both countries had previously agreed to a ceasefire last month after a period of border conflict.

Recent social media claims have suggested that Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada might have been killed in Kandahar during these airstrikes, though such reports remain unconfirmed. This ongoing rivalry and military confrontation could have broader implications for regional stability, as both sides continue to assert they have inflicted heavy losses on the enemy in the recent skirmishes, raising concerns regarding further escalations in violence along the Pakistan-Afghan border.