Pakistan attacks Kabul as minister speaks of open warfare

Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have deteriorated sharply following nighttime attacks by the Pakistani army on Taliban targets in several Afghan cities.

Security sources in Pakistan said the attacks included air and ground strikes against Taliban positions, headquarters and ammunition depots along the border.

Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif bluntly described the situation as open warfare. Both sides have released high but conflicting casualty figures.

On Thursday evening, clashes broke out along the border after the Taliban launched what it described as retaliatory attacks on Pakistani military installations. Both sides claimed to have destroyed border posts in the fighting.

The conflict follows long-standing accusations by Islamabad that the Afghan government tolerates the activities of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan militants. Kabul rejects this and claims that security in Pakistan is an internal matter.

(reuters, pir)