ISLAMABAD
\nPakistan has said it is now in \u201copen war\u201d with Afghanistan\u2019s Taliban government as explosions were reported in Kabul and fighting continues in other locations along the border. Pakistan says it has also attacked Kandahar and Paktika inside Afghanistan.
\nThe declaration on Friday comes hours after Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Afghanistan was carrying out \u201clarge-scale offensive operations\u201d against the Pakistani military along the Durand Line\u201d which separates the two countries. The Taliban said its attack was in response to a separate round of Pakistani air strikes earlier this week.
\nHere is how countries and institutions are reacting: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is closely monitoring the situation, expressing deep concern over the surge in violence. In a statement delivered by his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, Guterres urged both nations to adhere strictly to their obligations under international law, with a specific emphasis on international humanitarian law.
\nGuterres underscored the urgent need for both parties to prioritise the protection of civilians as confrontations continue. Iran\u2019s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who has been involved in intensive talks with the United States to avert conflict engulfing his own nation, has urged the two countries to resolve their differences through dialogue and good neighbourly principles, as he highlighted the significance of the holy month of Ramadan as a time for self-restraint and Islamic solidarity.
\nIn a post on X early Friday, Araghchi reaffirmed Iran\u2019s readiness to support the process, stating that his country is prepared to provide any necessary assistance to facilitate constructive dialogue, deepen mutual understanding and promote cooperation between Kabul and Islamabad.
\nRussia has urged the warring parties to halt cross-border attacks \u200cimmediately and resolve their differences through diplomatic means, the RIA news agency reported on Friday, citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Russia has also offered to mediate if both sides agree.
\nIn addition to blaming the Taliban for \u201cterrorism\u201d and instability within the country, Pakistan\u2019s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif says Islamabad \u201cmade every effort, both directly and through friendly countries, to keep the situation stable\u201d.\u201cIt carried out extensive diplomacy. Today, when attempts are being made to target Pakistan with aggression, by the grace of God our armed forces are giving a decisive response,\u201d he said on X.
\n\u201cOur patience has reached its limit. Now it is open war. Now there will be decisive action.\u201d Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai says the country \u201cwill defend their beloved homeland with complete unity in all circumstances and will respond to aggression with courage\u201d amid Pakistan\u2019s attacks.
\n\u201cPakistan cannot free itself from the violence and bombings \u2013 those problems it has created itself \u2013 but must change its own policy and choose the path of good neighbourliness, respect, and civilised relations with Afghanistan,\u201d he said on X.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD Pakistan has said it is now in \u201copen war\u201d with Afghanistan\u2019s Taliban government as explosions were reported in Kabul and fighting continues in other locations along the border. Pakistan says it has also attacked Kandahar and Paktika inside Afghanistan. The declaration on Friday comes hours after Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Afghanistan was carrying […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-533846","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n