Pakistan claims 270 Taliban fighters killed, UN urges immediate ceasefire

Pakistan on Friday declared it was in an “open war” with Afghanistan after a sharp escalation in cross-border fighting that left hundreds dead and injured, triggering international concern and calls for restraint.

Pakistan said its forces killed more than 270 Afghan Taliban fighters and injured over 400 others in air and ground operations under Operation Ghazab lil Haq , launched after what Islamabad described as coordinated attacks on 53 locations along the 2,611-km Durand Line .

Army spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistani forces destroyed 89 Afghan posts and captured 18 others , while more than 115 tanks , armoured vehicles and artillery pieces were eliminated. Air strikes targeted Taliban military infrastructure in Kabul, Kandahar, Paktia, Khost, Paktika and Laghman. Twelve Pakistani soldiers were killed and 27 injured .

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistan’s patience had “run out,” declaring the situation an “open war.” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited General Headquarters and ordered zero tolerance toward any nexus between the Afghan Taliban and militant groups such as the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also called Fitna al Khawarij.

Afghanistan’s Taliban government rejected Pakistan’s account. Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed Afghan forces killed 55 Pakistani soldiers , seized 19 military posts and two headquarters , and recovered weapons and vehicles. He warned that any further action by Pakistan would be answered in Islamabad.

As tensions mounted, regional powers urged de-escalation. Pakistan’s foreign minister held talks with his Turkish and Saudi counterparts, while China and Russia called for a ceasefire and diplomatic resolution.

The United Nations also voiced alarm. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “deeply concerned” and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities , warning of the impact on civilians, including at a transit centre near the Torkham border crossing .

UN officials said nearly 22 million Afghans already need humanitarian aid and warned the number could rise if fighting continues. Only 11% of the USD 1.7 billion required for this year’s aid plan has been funded.

With both sides trading heavy claims of casualties and destruction, diplomats fear further escalation could deepen the humanitarian crisis and destabilise the region.