Pakistan's patience with Afghanistan has "run out" and "open confrontation" between the two nations has begun, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif announced in a post on X/Twitter on Thursday.
"Pakistan made every effort to keep the situation normal through direct means and through friendly countries. It engaged in full-fledged diplomacy," Asif stated. "Today, when attempts are being made to target Pakistan with aggression... our forces are giving a decisive response at this time."
"Our patience has run out. Now it is open confrontation between us," he asserted, adding, "we are your neighbors and we know your reality."
Explosions heard in Kabul
Asif's statement came after loud explosions were heard in Kabul, Afghanistan, early on Friday morning, according to an Agence France-Presse report.
The explosion came after at least one jet was heard flying over the city and was followed by sounds of gunfire, according to AFP. One Kabul resident told AFP that at least eight blasts were heard.
Shortly after the explosions were heard, Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar claimed that 133 Taliban terrorists were killed and over 200 were wounded in strikes targeting Taliban sites in Kabul and Kandahar cities, as well as the Paktia province of Afghanistan.
Tarar additionally claimed that two Taliban ammunition depots, two sector headquarters, more than 80 tanks, and one logistics base were destroyed.
The strikes came hours after Afghanistan struck Pakistani military forces stationed near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border on Thursday.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for Afghanistan's Taliban administration, claimed that the strikes were launched "In response to repeated provocations and violations by Pakistani military circles."
Reuters contributed to this report.