Pakistan bombs targets in Afghan cities, as Afghan minister calls action 'open war'.

Pakistan bombed targets in Afghanistan’s major cities overnight, striking Taliban government forces for the first time and marking a dramatic rupture between the Islamic neighbours.

Islamabad described the situation as “open war”, raising tensions in the volatile, nuclear-armed region.

The strikes hit the capital Kabul and the southern city of Kandahar, where Taliban leaders are based. Taliban officials and Pakistani authorities said the attacks included air-to-ground missiles targeting military offices and posts in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia province. Ground clashes were also reported in multiple sectors along the 2,600-km border.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed Pakistani forces carried out air strikes but did not provide details. The Taliban defence ministry later said it had conducted retaliatory drone strikes on Pakistani military targets.

“Our cup of patience has overflowed. Now it is open war between us and you,” Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said on Friday.

Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harbouring militants who stage cross-border attacks, a charge the Taliban deny, saying Pakistan’s security problems are internal.

Videos shared by Pakistani security officials showed flashes of light along the frontier and the sound of heavy artillery. Reuters verified footage from Kabul showing plumes of black smoke rising from two sites and a large blaze in part of the capital.

Residents described panic as explosions rang out. “We woke up, and the plane came and dropped two bombs, then flew away again. After that, we heard explosions,” said Tamim, a taxi driver in Kabul, adding that ammunition at a suspected depot continued exploding.

Casualty claims from both sides could not be independently verified. A Pakistani government spokesperson said 133 Afghan Taliban fighters were killed and more than 200 wounded. Mujahid said 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed, while eight Taliban fighters and 13 civilians in Nangarhar province were among the casualties.

Russia, China, Turkey and Saudi Arabia were seeking to mediate, diplomats said, while Iran also offered assistance as it pursues nuclear talks with Washington.

Clashes in October killed dozens of soldiers before negotiations facilitated by Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia halted hostilities. The latest escalation follows Pakistani air strikes earlier this week that it said targeted Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) and Islamic State militants in eastern Afghanistan.

Punjab province in Pakistan said it was on high alert for militant attacks, while Afghan state media in Nangarhar reported preparations for further operations.