The Taliban government in Afghanistan declared its readiness to negotiate with Pakistan after being airstriked on Kabul, Kandahar and many other areas, in the context of Islamabad calling the current situation a "public war".
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on February 28 that the attacks hit many areas in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia overnight, then spread to Paktika, Khost and Laghman. He said there were civilian casualties but did not elaborate. Verified videos show thick black smoke rising from two locations in Kabul and a large fire. Witnesses heard many rescue whistles and jet sounds.
A taxi driver in Kabul said that a ammunition depot was hit, causing continuous explosions. He said the plane dropped two bombs and left, then many explosions rang out, causing people to panic and run away from their homes.
Pakistani security sources said the airstrikes with air-to-ground missiles targeting Taliban offices and military posts were a response to previous attacks by Afghanistan. Violence escalated after Pakistan airstriked Afghan territory last weekend and Afghanistan launched a retaliatory drone strike on Pakistani military positions along the border.
The two sides gave different casualty figures. Pakistani officials said 274 Taliban officials and gunmen were killed. Afghanistan announced 55 Pakistani soldiers killed, and confirmed 13 Taliban gunmen killed. Pakistan also confirmed 12 of its soldiers killed in battle.
Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif declared that patience has run out and this is "public war". The Pakistani Foreign Ministry warned that any new provocations would face "moderate, decisive and appropriate" responses.
The Taliban affirmed that they always seek to solve the problem through dialogue and currently still want to resolve it through negotiation.
For many years, Islamabad has accused Afghanistan of harboring Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) forces that use this territory as a shelter to plan cross-border attacks, which Kabul denies.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern about the escalating violence and called for an immediate end to hostilities. Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said he called on the parties to resolve disagreements through diplomatic means.
The US declared its support for Pakistan's right to self-defense against attacks from the Taliban. European Union High Representative for Foreign Policy Kaja Kallas also called for de-escalation and dialogue, emphasizing that Afghan territory must not be used to threaten another country.
The attacks increase the risk of prolonged conflict along the 2,600km border between the two countries.
