New Military Escalation Between Afghanistan and Pakistan Shakes the Border
In a serious escalation that warns of an expansion of the confrontation between the two neighbors, a series of violent explosions shook the Afghan capital, Kabul, early this Friday morning, just hours after the Taliban government announced a large-scale military attack against Pakistan along the shared border.
* 8 Explosions Shake the Capital
At around 1:50 AM (21:20 GMT), a large explosion echoed throughout Kabul, preceded by at least one fighter jet flying over the city, according to reports from Agence France-Presse.
The explosion was not alone, as one resident confirmed that up to eight explosions shook the capital in succession, stating that the first two explosions were relatively distant before the subsequent explosions drew closer and violently shook homes, with the sound of fighter jets heard after each blast.
Following the explosions, continuous gunfire erupted in the city center, lasting until around 2:30 AM, causing a state of anxiety and anticipation among residents.
* Large-Scale Border Attack on Pakistan
These developments came just hours after Afghanistan announced a military attack on Pakistan, justifying it as a response to deadly airstrikes that targeted its territory in recent days.
The Afghan army announced yesterday, Thursday, that it had taken control of several Pakistani military points as part of an extended attack along the border.
The Afghan Ministry of Defense confirmed the death of 55 Pakistani soldiers and the seizure of two military bases.
According to Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, the operations were “in response to the repeated violations by the Pakistani army,” indicating via the platform “X” that “large-scale offensive operations against Pakistani military bases and facilities” were carried out.
The spokesman added, in statements to Agence France-Presse, that Afghan forces controlled more than 15 Pakistani military points within just two hours, confirming the death of “dozens” of Pakistani soldiers, and the transfer of 10 bodies to Kunar province and other areas, in addition to several soldiers being captured.
* Ongoing Battles on the Border
The office of the governor of Kunar province and local residents confirmed the continuation of military operations in their area, while Afghan officials indicated that the operations are expanding to include other provinces.
In contrast, Pakistan announced that it is dealing with the attacks through a “prompt and effective response,” amid rising tensions that come after months of clashes and mutual airstrikes between the two sides.
The rapid developments between Kabul and Islamabad open the door to a new phase of military escalation, amid fears that the situation could slip into a wider confrontation that may reignite the volatile border between the two countries.
