Afghanistan has said it was firing at Pakistani jets over Kabul after explosions and gunfire shook the capital, adding to instability in a region already tense following US and Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent attacks on US targets in Gulf states.
The Taliban-ruled government said Afghan forces targeted Pakistani aircraft over Kabul early on Sunday. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid told reporters, “Air defence attacks were carried out in Kabul against Pakistani aircraft. Kabul residents should not be concerned.” Witnesses reported explosions and bursts of gunfire before sunrise, though it remains unclear what was specifically targeted or if there were casualties.
The violence comes after a week of Pakistani strikes on Afghan government installations. Islamabad accused Kabul of harbouring militants from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claims that Afghanistan has repeatedly denied, insisting its territory is not used for attacks on other countries. Pakistani security officials have described their ongoing operations as “Ghazab Lil Haq,” or “Wrath for the Truth,” reporting destruction of Afghan posts and camps. Both sides have reported heavy losses, though casualty figures differ significantly.
The fighting represents the heaviest military exchanges between Afghanistan and Pakistan in years, raising concerns about a prolonged conflict along the 2,600-kilometre border. Afghanistan’s Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani said the confrontation could be “very costly” and that only front-line forces have been engaged so far. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif described the situation as “open war.”
Diplomatic efforts are intensifying as regional and global powers urge restraint. Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, the European Union, and the United Nations have called for dialogue between Kabul and Islamabad. Iran, which borders both countries, offered to mediate talks before itself coming under US and Israeli attacks aimed at diminishing its military capabilities.
The current crisis underscores the fragile security environment in South Asia, where historical border disputes and accusations of supporting insurgent groups have repeatedly triggered cross-border violence. Analysts warn that escalating operations on both sides could destabilise the region further, particularly as Afghanistan has limited resources to fully deploy its military along the border.
Afghanistan has said it was firing at Pakistani jets in Kabul after blasts and gunfire rocked the capital, highlighting how tensions between the neighbours have intensified amid broader Middle East conflicts.
Both countries are under pressure to contain the fighting. International observers have stressed the importance of preventing civilian casualties and ensuring that diplomatic channels remain open. Pakistan has received backing from the US, which affirmed Islamabad’s right to defend itself, while calls for restraint have come from multiple regional actors seeking to avert a wider confrontation.
