Islamabad: Pakistan bombed major Afghan cities, including Kabul, on Friday after Afghan forces attacked Pakistani border troops, with Islamabad’s defence minister declaring the two sides at “open war” following months of escalating clashes.

A video has emerged, purportedly showing airstrikes, but Mathrubhumi English has not independently verified the authenticity of the visuals.

“Our patience has reached its limit. Now it is open war between us and you,” Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif posted on social media.

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Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said “Afghan Taliban defence targets were targeted in Kabul, Paktia (province) and Kandahar,” as AFP journalists in Kabul and Kandahar reported jets overhead, loud explosions and gunfire lasting more than two hours.

The Afghan Taliban government confirmed the strikes, but spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said there were no casualties. Hours earlier, he had announced “large-scale offensive operations” at the border “in response to repeated violations by the Pakistani military”.

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Afghanistan said eight of its soldiers were killed in the ground fighting. An Afghan official also reported civilian injuries near the Torkham crossing. “A mortar shell has hit the camp and, unfortunately, seven of our refugees have been wounded, and the condition of one woman is serious,” said Qureshi Badlun, information chief in Nangarhar province.

Mujahid told AFP that several Pakistani soldiers had been “caught alive”, a claim denied by Pakistan’s prime minister’s office.

The latest escalation follows Pakistani strikes on Nangarhar and Paktika earlier this week that the UN said killed at least 13 civilians. The Taliban rejected Pakistan’s claim that more than 80 militants were killed and said at least 18 people died.

Relations between the neighbours have deteriorated sharply since deadly fighting in October that killed more than 70 people and forced the closure of most land crossings. Multiple rounds of talks and a ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Turkey have failed to produce a lasting agreement.

Saudi Arabia also intervened this month to mediate the release of three Pakistani soldiers captured by Afghanistan in October, underscoring the growing regional concern over the worsening border conflict.