ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s defense minister said that his country ran out of “patience” and considers that there is now an “open war” with Afghanistan, after both countries launched strikes following an Afghan cross-border attack. In a post on X, Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif said Pakistan had hoped for peace in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of NATO forces and expected the Taliban to focus on the welfare of the Afghan people and regional stability.

Pakistani and Afghan officials have both declared full military operations as border clashes intensify.

Tensions have been high between the neighbors for months, with border clashes in October killing dozens of soldiers, civilians and suspected militants.