Pakistan and Afghanistan Enter "Open War" as Trump Backs Islamabad
Pakistan and Afghanistan Enter "Open War" as Trump Backs Islamabad ISLAMABAD / KABUL — Tensions along the Durand Line have reached a breaking point this week, escalating into what Pakistani officials are now calling a state of "open war." Following a series of intense cross-border skirmishes and Pakistani airstrikes on major Afghan cities, U.S. President Donald Trump has signaled firm support for Pakistan’s leadership, praising Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir . The Escalation: Airstrikes and Retaliation The conflict shifted from localized border friction to full-scale military confrontation on February 27, 2026 . Pakistan launched a wave of airstrikes—dubbed " Operation Ghazab-Lil-Haqq "—targeting what it described as militant strongholds in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia. Pakistan’s Stance: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared that "patience has run out," accusing the Taliban government of harboring Tehreek...