US President Donald Trump has said he would not intervene in the ongoing hostilities between Pakistan and Afghanistan, even as Islamabad declared a state of “open war” following a series of cross-border strikes.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump said he respected Pakistan’s leadership and suggested that the country was capable of handling the situation on its own. “I would (intervene), but you have a great prime minister, you have a great general there, you have a great leader. I think two of the people that I really respect a lot. I think Pakistan is doing terrifically well,” he said.

Trump specifically praised Pakistan’s military chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Pakistan claims major strikes across Afghanistan

The remarks came as Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif announced a state of “open war” with Afghanistan after tensions flared earlier in the week. Islamabad said it had carried out aerial strikes on 29 locations inside Afghanistan on Friday, including targets in Kandahar and Kabul.

According to a Pakistani government spokesperson, 297 Afghan Taliban members and militants were killed in the strikes. In response, Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid claimed Afghan forces killed 55 Pakistani soldiers and captured several others.

The developments mark the most significant military escalation between the two sides since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021 following the withdrawal of US forces.

Strong reactions from Washington and other countries

Sharif later asserted that Pakistan’s armed forces were fully prepared to respond to any aggression. “Our forces have the full capability to crush any aggressive ambitions. The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan armed forces,” he said.

A spokesperson for the US State Department said Washington supports Pakistan’s “right to defend itself” against Taliban attacks, while criticising the Taliban for failing to meet counterterrorism commitments. The spokesperson stated that Afghanistan has been used by terrorist groups as a base for attacks, contributing to regional instability.

Meanwhile, Britain called for de-escalation, China urged a ceasefire, and Iran offered to mediate between the two countries.

The US Embassy and Consulates in Pakistan also issued an advisory for American citizens, warning that law enforcement facilities, military installations and major commercial centres remain potential targets for terrorist organisations. US nationals were advised to exercise caution, particularly during peak hours.

Shift in US-Pakistan dynamics

Trump’s remarks signal a shift in tone compared to the strained relations between Washington and Islamabad during the tenure of former US President Joe Biden. Since returning to office for a second term, Trump has adopted a more favourable stance towards Pakistan.

Islamabad has previously praised Trump’s mediation efforts in global conflicts and even suggested he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize. While Pakistan remains a major non-NATO ally of the United States, the Afghan Taliban continues to be designated as a terrorist group by Washington.

Indian cricketer Rinku Singh’s father, Khanchand Singh, passed away on Friday after battling stage four cancer. He was receiving treatment at Yatharth Hospital in Greater Noida, where his health deteriorated earlier this week.

Rinku had travelled to see his father ahead of India’s T20 World Cup match against Zimbabwe. Despite medical efforts, Khanchand Singh’s condition did not improve and he was placed on ventilator support. The cricketer later rejoined the squad in time for the fixture but was not included in the playing XI, with Sanju Samson taking his place. Rinku featured in the match as a substitute fielder.

A pillar of support in Rinku’s journey

Khanchand Singh played a significant role in his son’s cricketing career. Working as an LPG cylinder deliveryman in Aligarh, he ensured that financial challenges did not hinder Rinku’s ambitions in the sport. His support over the years was seen as instrumental in shaping the batter’s rise to the Indian team.

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh expressed condolences in a post on X, saying he was pained to learn of the demise and extended prayers to the family. He acknowledged the difficult time for Rinku, who continues to fulfil his national duties during the tournament.

Mixed outing in the tournament

Rinku’s T20 World Cup campaign has been underwhelming so far. He has scored 24 runs across five innings and has struggled to convert starts into significant contributions. Limited opportunities at the crease and the absence of big scores resulted in Samson being preferred in the lineup.

India are set to travel to Kolkata for their final Super 8 clash against West Indies. The encounter is effectively a virtual quarterfinal, with the winner securing a place in the semifinals. India head into the match after a win over Zimbabwe, while West Indies are coming off a heavy defeat to South Africa.

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have sharply escalated after Islamabad declared “open war” on the Afghan Taliban government following renewed clashes along their shared border.

Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia on Friday, hours after Afghan forces attacked Pakistani border troops. The Taliban government described its cross-border assault as retaliation for earlier Pakistani airstrikes this week.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif posted on X that Islamabad’s “patience has reached its limit” and announced the launch of Operation Ghazab Lil Haq against Afghanistan.

Afghanistan’s account

According to Taliban officials, at least three explosions were heard in Kabul. Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistan also conducted strikes in Kandahar and Paktia province. There were no immediate confirmed reports of casualties in Kabul from the airstrikes.

Afghanistan’s defence ministry said its forces had launched an offensive late Thursday across the border into Pakistan, claiming it was in response to deadly Pakistani airstrikes last Sunday. It claimed to have captured more than a dozen Pakistani army posts and reported that eight Afghan soldiers were killed in the land operation, with 11 others wounded.

An Afghan official in Nangarhar province said a mortar shell hit a refugee camp near the Torkham border crossing, injuring several civilians, including women. Afghan authorities later said 13 civilians were wounded in a missile strike on the camp.

Afghanistan also claimed its forces shot down a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet and released video footage of a burning aircraft. The footage could not be independently verified.

Pakistan’s account

Pakistan’s military said it targeted Afghan military facilities in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia, allegedly destroying brigade and corps headquarters as well as ammunition and logistics installations.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar described the Afghan cross-border action as “unprovoked firing” and said Pakistan was giving a “strong and effective response.” He initially said two Pakistani soldiers were killed and three wounded, while 36 Afghan fighters had died.

Later, Mosharraf Ali Zaidi, spokesperson for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, claimed at least 133 Afghan fighters were killed and more than 200 wounded. He denied that any Pakistani soldiers had been captured and said 27 Afghan posts were destroyed and nine fighters taken into custody.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the Afghan Taliban for allegedly targeting civilians, stating that Pakistan’s armed forces had responded “befittingly” to what he termed open aggression.

Mismatch in casualty figures

Both sides have reported sharply differing casualty figures.

Afghanistan’s defence ministry said 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed and several others captured, claiming it destroyed 19 Pakistani posts and two bases. Pakistan, however, maintained that only two of its soldiers were killed and rejected claims of captured personnel.

Exchanges of fire were also reported in the Torkham border area, with residents on both sides moving to safer locations. Pakistani police said mortars fired from Afghanistan landed in nearby villages, though no civilian casualties were reported there.

Rising regional tensions

The latest violence follows months of heightened tension between the two neighbours. Deadly clashes in October had already claimed the lives of soldiers, civilians and suspected militants.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged both sides to protect civilians and resolve differences through diplomacy, according to UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

A Qatar-mediated ceasefire between the two countries had largely held in recent weeks, despite sporadic exchanges of fire. However, recent strikes and retaliatory actions have placed the truce under significant strain.

Pakistan has said militant violence within its territory has surged in recent years, blaming the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch separatist groups. Islamabad accuses the TTP of operating from inside Afghanistan, an allegation denied by both the group and Kabul.