Pakistan announces the launch of "open war," Afghanistan initiates large-scale retaliation, China calls for a quick ceasefire to "avoid humanitarian disaster."

[Global Times Special Correspondent in Pakistan Huang Xiaona, Global Times Reporter Feng Fan, Global Times Special Correspondent Yu Wen] "Our patience has run out." Pakistan's Defense Minister Asif announced on social media on the 27th that Pakistan has launched an "open war" against Afghanistan. In the early hours of that day, Pakistan conducted airstrikes on important military facilities in Kabul, Kandahar Province, and Paktia Province, destroying multiple command posts, ammunition depots, and logistics bases of the Afghan side. The Pakistani military stated that the airstrike was in response to an attack by Afghanistan on Pakistani border posts on the evening of the 26th. An Afghan government spokesperson later stated that Afghanistan had launched a large-scale retaliatory operation against Pakistani military targets from Kandahar and Helmand provinces. According to AFP, this is the most intense airstrike by Pakistan against Afghanistan since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 and the Taliban's rise to power. Media reports indicate that this round of "retaliation and counter-retaliation" conflict between the two sides began last October, with Pakistan accusing Afghanistan of harboring terrorists and orchestrating multiple terrorist attacks within Pakistan, which Afghanistan denies. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated on the 27th that China is closely monitoring the situation's development. Pakistan and Afghanistan are neighbors that cannot be moved, and both are also neighbors of China. As a neighboring country and friend, China is deeply concerned about the escalation of the conflict and is very saddened by the casualties caused by the conflict. The intensity of this round of Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict exceeds that of the past, and its continuation or escalation will bring harm and losses to both sides.

Pakistan Implements "Operation Justice's Fury"

Asif stated on social media on the 27th that after NATO forces withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021, people hoped that Afghanistan could usher in peace and that the Taliban would focus on the interests of the Afghan people and regional peace. He accused the Taliban of turning Afghanistan into "India's colony," gathering "terrorists from around the world," and "exporting terrorism," while depriving its own people of their human rights. "Our patience has run out," Asif said.

Kandahar Province in southern Afghanistan was targeted by Pakistani airstrikes, drawing media attention. CNN reported that Kandahar is considered the spiritual birthplace of the Taliban, and it is believed that the organization's supreme leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, is often based there. AFP stated that this is the first time Pakistan has conducted airstrikes against Taliban bases in southern Afghanistan. South Asia expert Michael Kugelman posted on X platform that "Pakistan seems to have expanded its targets to the Taliban regime itself, not just the Taliban organization," marking a "significant and dangerous escalation."

According to Pakistan's Dawn newspaper, the military operation against the Taliban has been named "Operation Justice's Fury." On the 27th, political figures in Pakistan, including President Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz, and leaders of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, issued statements supporting the military, emphasizing the defense of national security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

Later on the 27th, the Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) of Pakistan held a press conference, stating that since the evening of the 26th, Pakistani security forces have killed 274 Afghan personnel. He stated that the Taliban regime must choose between supporting Pakistan or supporting terrorist organizations, which include the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, Baloch Liberation Army, ISIS, and Al-Qaeda, and that no place in Afghanistan harboring terrorists and their protectors will be safe.

On the same day, an Afghan government spokesperson also held a press conference. According to AFP, Afghan government spokesperson Mujahid stated at a press conference in Kandahar that Pakistani planes and reconnaissance aircraft are flying over Afghan airspace, and Afghanistan hopes to resolve the conflict with Pakistan through dialogue.

The Afghan Ministry of Defense stated that the Afghan Air Force conducted airstrikes on military camps, military bases, and the Abbottabad area near Islamabad on the 27th. According to Global Times reporters observing in downtown Islamabad, the city's order and public movement are normal, but security measures in the capital region are being strengthened. Some Pakistanis nearby do not consider this a real "war," as the conflict between the two sides has a long history, and Pakistanis have long been accustomed to it. They believe that Pakistan's military strength far exceeds that of the Taliban and are confident that Pakistan can easily win the confrontation with the Taliban.

China Calls for "Avoiding Humanitarian Catastrophe"

Zhu Yongbiao, Dean of the School of Political Science and International Relations at Lanzhou University, told Global Times reporters on the 27th that the current round of conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan is essentially a combination of new grievances and old resentments, with both continuity and periodic escalation. From the perspective of continuity, this is the result of the continuous deterioration of the regional situation in recent years and the ongoing accumulation of contradictions. If there is any significant difference, it is mainly reflected in the fact that the Pakistani government has officially used the term "open war" for the first time. This is both a strong declaration against Afghanistan and carries a deterrent meaning, indicating that the conflict has escalated to a more serious level, just a step away from a formal declaration of war.

Pakistan has recently experienced multiple terrorist attacks. The most severe occurred on February 6, when an explosion at a mosque in Islamabad killed at least 36 people, with ISIS claiming responsibility. CNN reported that since the chaotic U.S. withdrawal and the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan, Pakistan has faced a surge in violent incidents. According to data provided by the Pakistani military, over 1,200 people, including military personnel and civilians, died in armed attacks across the country in 2025. This figure is double that of 2021, the year the U.S. military withdrew from Afghanistan.

Regarding the current Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict, Mao Ning stated on the 27th that China supports combating all forms of terrorism and calls on both sides to remain calm and restrained, to properly resolve their differences through dialogue and negotiation, to achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible, and to avoid humanitarian catastrophe, which aligns with the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples, and is conducive to maintaining regional peace and stability. China has been mediating the Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict through its own channels and is willing to continue to play a constructive role in cooling tensions and improving relations between the two countries. The Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Chinese embassies in Pakistan and Afghanistan are working on this matter with relevant parties in both countries. China also demands that both countries ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

"Is China considering evacuating Chinese citizens and businesses in Pakistan and Afghanistan? Is there a plan to suspend flights?" In response to these questions, Mao Ning stated that we are closely monitoring the situation's development and will provide necessary assistance to Chinese citizens in need.

UN Secretary-General Guterres urged Pakistan and Afghanistan on the 27th to protect civilians in accordance with international law and to "continue to seek diplomatic solutions to any differences." Both Russia and Iran have expressed their willingness to mediate the Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict.

Why the Pakistan-Afghanistan Conflict Has Intensified

Zhu Yongbiao told Global Times reporters that the roots of the ongoing conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan can be summarized in several aspects: First, the territorial dispute over the Durand Line. The Taliban continues the position of previous Afghan governments and is unwilling to formally recognize the Durand Line as the border between the two countries. This is a matter of great concern for Pakistan. Second, Pakistan believes that since 2021, its domestic counter-terrorism situation has significantly deteriorated, which is related to the Taliban. The Taliban firmly denies this, arguing that it is an internal issue for Pakistan and that responsibility should not be shifted to Afghanistan. This mutual blame has exacerbated the contradictions. Third, there is a trust issue. Pakistan believes it has long supported the Taliban, but the Taliban has not given a positive response since regaining power, instead putting pressure on Pakistan. This has led to a decline in strategic mutual trust between the two sides to its lowest point since the 1990s. Fourth, geopolitical factors. The triangular relationship between India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan also has an impact. After the Taliban regained power, its relationship with India underwent subtle changes, causing tension for Pakistan. In particular, statements made during the Afghan Foreign Minister's visit to India last year deepened Pakistan's suspicions.

Javed Akhtar, editor of Pakistan's Independent News Agency, told Global Times reporters on the 27th that the Taliban government wants to replicate its success in seizing power in Afghanistan to help the Balochistan Taliban overthrow the existing government in Pakistan, which is intolerable for Pakistan. He believes this is a non-traditional war. The Pakistan Air Force is targeting terrorists within Afghanistan, but the Afghan military lacks the capability to wage an open war against Pakistan. The military strength of both sides is vastly different, but the Taliban is likely to intensify terrorist activities in major Pakistani cities as a form of retaliation.

BBC reported on the 27th that there is a significant disparity in military capabilities between Pakistan and the Taliban. Pakistan possesses nuclear weapons, and its armed forces consistently rank among the top 15 in the world. The Taliban lacks military resources of the same level, with its weapons primarily coming from three sources: remnants of the former Afghan army, leftovers from withdrawing foreign forces, and new weapons obtained from black markets and other channels.

CNN stated that Pakistan has a comprehensive defense system, including the army, navy, air force, and marines. According to statistics from the International Institute for Strategic Studies, these branches have approximately 660,000 active-duty soldiers, with nearly 300,000 paramilitary and gendarmerie forces as a supplement. Pakistan has a modernized arsenal, including U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets, French-made Mirage fighter jets, and JF-17 fighter jets co-produced with China. The Taliban's military personnel are estimated to be fewer than 200,000, lacking a fully functional air force and relying only on a few old Soviet-era helicopters and weapons left by the U.S. military.

Zhu Yongbiao stated that ultimately, Pakistan and Afghanistan need to resolve their issues through negotiation. Both countries face challenges in security and economic development, and conflict will only bring harm without any benefit, exacerbating consumption and providing no substantial help to long-term interests.