Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif stated the country is in an 'open war' with Afghanistan, following Pakistani airstrikes on Kabul and other Afghan targets. 'Our patience has now run out,' Asif said after the attacks.

The strikes came after the Afghan Taliban announced a major offensive against Pakistani military posts near the border. The Taliban claimed to have captured 19 posts and two bases, killing 55 Pakistani soldiers—claims Pakistan denied.

Pakistan retaliated with bombing raids on Afghanistan, targeting Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktika. Military spokesman Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said 22 Afghan targets were hit and over 200 Taliban fighters killed, with 12 Pakistani soldiers dead.

Taliban spokesman Mujahid reported only 13 fighters killed, 22 injured, and 13 civilians wounded.

The Afghan Taliban launched drone strikes into Pakistan, which Pakistan's Information Minister Atta Tarar said were thwarted targeting Swabi, Nowshera, and Abbottabad.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed Pakistan has 'the full capability to crush any aggressive ambitions.' In Afghanistan, Taliban officials said Pakistani rockets hit a refugee camp in Nangarhar, injuring at least nine people.

A fragile ceasefire agreed in October failed to lead to a broader peace deal. Pakistan accuses the Taliban government of supporting 'anti-Pakistan terrorists.'

Iran has offered to 'facilitate dialogue' between the two nations.

Source: www.bbc.com