Analysts warn escalation may embolden armed groups and destabilise both Afghanistan and Pakistan. What happens next? Islamabad, Pakistan – Pakistan launched air strikes on Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, as well as on Kandahar and Paktia, early on Friday. The attacks targeted Taliban military installations as Islamabad declared “open war” on the group’s government, in the most serious military confrontation between the two neighbours in years. The strikes came hours after Afghan forces launched coordinated cross-border attacks on Pakistani military positions in six border provinces late on Thursday. Kabul claimed 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 19 outposts captured. Pakistan acknowledged two soldiers had been killed but dismissed the other claims as propaganda. It said Pakistan had ...