Afghanistan has said it is ready for talks after Pakistan carried out air strikes on several major cities. Islamabad’s defense minister has declared the two countries in a state of “open war” after months of rising tensions and mutual attacks.
On Friday, Pakistan launched attacks on the Afghan capital Kabul, the Taliban stronghold of Kandahar and other cities, while border fighting continued, with both sides reporting heavy casualties.
Tensions have risen between Kabul and Islamabad, with both sides accusing the other of retaliating, raising fears of a wider military conflict in the region.
Islamabad declared “open war” on Kabul after carrying out airstrikes in Kabul, Kandahar and parts of Paktia, further escalating tensions between the two neighboring countries.
In a post on Twitter, Pakistan’s Defense Minister, Khawaja Asif, issued a strong statement declaring “open war” against Afghanistan, saying Islamabad’s patience has run out and accusing the Taliban-led administration of harboring terrorists.
His post read, “After the withdrawal of NATO forces, it was expected that there would be peace in Afghanistan and the Taliban would focus on the interests of the Afghan people and peace in the region. They gathered terrorists from all over the world in Afghanistan and started exporting terrorism. They deprived their own people of basic human rights. They took away the rights given to women by Islam.”
The Pakistani Defense Minister further said, “Our cup of patience is full. Now an open war has broken out between us and you. Now there will be ‘Dama Dum Mast Qalandar’. Pakistan’s army has not come from across the sea. We are your neighbours; we know every small and big thing about you. Allahu Akbar.”
Earlier, according to Tolo News, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar had said that Afghanistan had carried out drone attacks on Abbottabad, Swabi and Nowshera.
He also said that anti-drone systems shot down the drones and there was no loss of life.
