In a dramatic escalation of tensions, Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif declared 'open war' on the Taliban in Afghanistan, stating that the patience of Pakistan had reached its limit. This announcement was made via a post on the social media platform X, reflecting the growing hostilities between the two nations. Asif's statement follows a series of recent border clashes that sparked this intense declaration of military action.

On the night of the announcement, Pakistan conducted airstrikes targeting key Taliban defense positions in Kabul, the Afghan capital, and Kandahar, the country’s second-largest city. These strikes were confirmed by Pakistan’s Information Minister Attuallah Tarar, who detailed that the operations specifically aimed at Taliban military locations. The conflict's escalation comes shortly after Afghanistan's forces conducted an attack on Pakistani military personnel along the border, further heightening tensions in the region.

Reports from AFP journalists indicated the sound of fighter jets and multiple explosions in Kabul, accompanied by a gun battle lasting over two hours. Such military actions suggest a significant change dynamic in the long-existing conflict between the two nations, as the Taliban's leadership, including Hibatullah Akhundzada, operates out of Kandahar. This declaration and subsequent military activity could have far-reaching implications for regional stability and international relations, as both nations navigate a fraught geopolitical landscape.