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Afghanistan claimed Friday that it carried out "coordinated airstrikes" targeting military positions deep inside Pakistan, including near the capital Islamabad, in a dramatic escalation of the cross-border conflict that has drawn international calls for restraint.
Afghanistan's Defense Ministry said the airstrikes were launched at around 11 a.m. local time (6:30 a.m. GMT), "targeting a military camp near Faizabad in Islamabad, a military base in Nowshera, military positions in Jamrud, and additional locations in Abbottabad."
Pakistan had yet to react to the claims at the time of publication.
The Afghan Defense Ministry said the strikes were carried out "in response to the aerial incursions conducted last night by Pakistani forces in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia" provinces.
The claimed targets represent a significant escalation—Abbottabad is the city where U.S. forces killed Osama bin Laden in 2011, and Nowshera is home to major Pakistani military installations. Faizabad is located on the outskirts of the capital, Islamabad.
According to Kabul-based Tolo News, a mortar shell fired by Pakistani forces struck a civilian home near Angoor Ada in the Barmal district of Paktika province, killing three civilians, including children, and injuring seven others.
Russia called on both countries to return to the negotiating table.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova expressed concern over the "sharp escalation of armed clashes between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, involving regular army units, air force, and heavy weapons."
"We call on our friendly Afghanistan and Pakistan to abandon this dangerous confrontation and return to the negotiating table to resolve all differences through political and diplomatic means," Zakharova stated.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the clashes are "of great concern" and urged both sides to exercise restraint and halt all military operations.
"These clashes taking place during the holy month of Ramadan make the situation even more dire. Malaysia urges both Pakistan and Afghanistan to exercise restraint and cease all military operations at the earliest," Ibrahim stated.
He said Pakistan's legitimate security concerns must be addressed while Afghanistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity must also be respected, emphasizing that "the only solution to this dispute is the negotiating table."
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also offered to "facilitate dialogue" between the two countries, calling on them to resolve their differences "within the framework of good neighborliness and through dialogue" during the holy month of Ramadan.
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and exchanged views on recent regional developments, particularly the situation between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Pakistani foreign minister noted that Islamabad responded "befittingly to unprovoked Afghan aggression, with Pakistan Armed Forces carrying out successful air operations under Operation Ghazab Lil Haq to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity."
Both leaders emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the region and agreed to stay closely engaged on evolving developments, according to a statement from the Pakistani Foreign Ministry on X.
The confrontation marks one of the most serious military flare-ups between the neighboring countries in decades. The conflict escalated rapidly over the past week:
Pakistan carried out airstrikes last Sunday targeting seven sites along the Afghan border, it described as "terror camps," saying 70 "terrorists" were killed. Afghan officials and the UN reported civilian deaths, which Pakistan denied. Afghanistan's Red Crescent said 18 people were killed.
Afghanistan launched "retaliatory operations" along the border late Thursday, claiming 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 19 posts seized. Pakistan confirmed the loss of two soldiers.
Pakistan responded with extensive overnight airstrikes on Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia early Friday. Pakistani officials said 133 Afghan fighters were killed and more than 200 wounded, with 27 posts destroyed and major military infrastructure hit.
Pakistan's defense minister declared "open war."
Afghanistan then claimed the latest strikes inside Pakistani territory on Friday morning.
In the latest round of fighting, officials from both sides said at least 10 soldiers were killed, eight Afghan and two Pakistani, while several others were injured. Both sides issued sharply differing casualty figures that could not be independently verified.
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