Post by : Shakul

Afghanistan’s Taliban government has said it is ready for negotiations with Pakistan after Islamabad carried out air strikes on major Afghan cities, pushing relations between the two neighbours into what Pakistan’s defence minister described as an “open war.” The strikes targeted Kabul, Kandahar and eastern provinces near the border, marking Pakistan’s most extensive military action inside Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared an all-out confrontation, blaming repeated border attacks and militant violence for the escalation. In response, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the leadership of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan preferred dialogue, stressing that negotiations were the only way to end the fighting.

Both sides issued sharply conflicting casualty claims. Pakistan said its operations killed more than 270 Afghan fighters while acknowledging losses among its own troops. Afghan officials rejected those figures, alleging heavy Pakistani casualties and confirming civilian deaths, including women and children, from air strikes in southeastern provinces. Independent verification of the numbers remains unavailable.

The violence follows months of worsening ties over Pakistan’s claim that Afghanistan shelters Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan militants, which Kabul denies. Earlier ceasefires mediated by regional powers failed, and border crossings remain largely shut. Amid growing international concern, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged restraint, while analysts warn that deep cross-border tribal and economic ties make a prolonged conflict costly for both nations.

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